Those elected to serve in the Pennsylvania Legislature create laws, policies, and pass budgets that shape life in our state, including education, economic development, regulation, and the environment, as well as criminal justice, infrastructure, public transportation, health care, child care, and much more.
What issues do you feel need the most attention in the Erie region and in your life, family and work? What would you like to see your elected leaders address in Harrisburg? How can state legislators make government work better for you?
If you are a voter living in the 49th Pennsylvania Senatorial District or the House of Representatives 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 6th Legislative Districts, please visit this link ― https://forms.gle/vWHACpBd8Rm7dzSf7 ― and share the questions you would like to ask the candidates. We plan to send a sample of your questions to the candidates and then publish their responses.
The deadline for submitting your questions is Monday, September 9. We appreciate your feedback.
As a reminder, here are the contested state legislative elections that will be decided in Erie County on November 5:
Pennsylvania Senate
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Incumbent Assemblyman Dan Laughlin, Republican, vs. Jim Wertz, Democrat, 49th Senate District, which covers most of Erie County except the city of Corry, the borough of Elgin, and the townships of Concord and Wayne.
Pennsylvania House of Representatives:
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Incumbent Rep. Bob Merski (D) vs. Matt Strupczewski (R), 2nd Legislative District, which includes the city of Erie, along with the townships of Greene, Harborcreek and Summit and Wesleyville Borough.
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Incumbent Ryan Bizzarro (D) vs. Micah Goring (R), 3rd Legislative District, which includes Millcreek and Fairview townships.
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Incumbent Jake Banta (R) vs. Joe Cancilla (D), 4th Legislative District, which includes the city of Corry and the townships of Amity, Concord, Franklin, Girard, Greenfield, Leboeuf, McKean, North East, Union, Venango, Washington, Waterford and Wayne and the boroughs of Edinboro, Elgin, Girard, Lake City, McKean, Mill Village, North East, Platea, Union City, Waterford and Wattsburg.
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Incumbent Brad Roae (R) vs. Michael Walker (D), 6th Legislative District, which includes the city of Meadville and the towns of Beaver, Conneaut, East Fairfield, East Fallowfield, East Mead, Fairfield, Greenwood, Hayfield, North Shenango, Pine, Randolph, Sadsbury, South Shenango, Spring, Summerhill, Summit, Union, Vernon, Wayne, West Fallowfield, West Mead and West Shenango and the boroughs of Cochranton, Conneaut Lake, Conneautville, Linesville and Springboro in Crawford County, and a portion of Erie County consisting of the townships of Conneaut, Elk Creek and Springfield.
This article originally appeared on the Erie Times-News: Readers ask questions of Erie-area candidates for Pennsylvania Senate and House of Representatives