Community Corner

Santarsiero Kicks Off Re-election Bid

State Representative Steve Santarsiero laid out his past accomplishments and future goals in front of about 40 supporters Thursday.

 

Democrat Steve Santarsiero kicked off his 2012 re-election campaign for state representative during a public event Thursday at the Hampton Inn in Lower Makefield Township.

Santarsiero, who has represented the 31st District since 2009, laid out his past accomplishments and future goals in front of about 40 supporters. District 31 includes Newtown Township, Newtown Borough, Yardley Borough, Lower Makefield Township and part of Upper Makefield Township.

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Santarsiero, a Lower Makefield resident, is married with three children. He is a former Lower Makefield Township Supervisor.

He said if re-elected, he will continue to focus on protecting the environment, bringing jobs to the area, supporting public education, improving transportation and advocating for reforms in Harrisburg.

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“If re-elected, I will continue to fight for our community,” Santarsiero said. “There is a lot more to be done."

Santarsiero highlighted some of his accomplishments from the past few years, including securing grants for a community center in Lower Makefield and environmental projects throughout the district, advocating for the recently-enacted ban on texting while driving and helping to attract global companies to locate in the area. 

However, he said, he’s most proud of the work his district office does on a day-to-day basis to help the people of the 31st District. 

Two Republicans  -- Anne Chapman and Helen Bosley -- will face off during the April primary for the opportunity to challenge Santarsiero. But, he said, his campaign strategy will remain the same despite his opponent. “I am going to run on the issues,” he said.

“I believe the choice in the fall is going to be pretty clear cut,” Santarsiero said. “We don’t need more of the same from the Republicans. We don’t need a rubber stamp of (Governor) Tom Corbett.”

During a question and answer period, the new voter identification law was a key topic. The law, passed this month, will require all voters to have photo identification in order to cast their ballots. The law, approved by a party line vote with Republican support, will be in effect in time for the general election on Nov. 6.

“It’s a solution in search of a problem,” Santarsiero said of the new law.  “It’s an attempt to suppress the vote in Philadelphia prior to the re-election of Barack Obama. We can’t be beaten down by this; it’s a political tactic.”


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