Candidates for the 165th state legislative race

Incumbent: Jennifer O’Mara, D

Age: 34

Occupation: Pennsylvania State Representative

Political experience: Since January 2019, I have served as State Representative for the 165th District. Before that, I didn’t hold any elected office.

Why are you running and what are your priorities in this race?

I’m running because I have unfinished business as a sitting state representative, and there is more I want to accomplish in Harrisburg. I initially ran for office because I wanted to address equity in our public schools, enact real policy change to help those affected by mental health issues, including veterans and first responders, and combat the epidemic of gun violence raging in our communities rages. While I am proud to say that I have made some progress, including passing bipartisan legislation to add PTSI to workers’ compensation for first responders and a bipartisan bill to implement extreme risk protection orders in Pennsylvania, few of these measures have reached the finish line. line and many still languish in the Pennsylvania Senate. And while we passed a budget this year that included record funding for our public schools, we still must ensure this investment is sustained for years to come to truly meet our demand to fairly fund our public schools. Additionally, as a new mother and a more experienced legislator, I have expanded my work to include a focus on family issues such as paid medical and sick leave, access to IVF insurance coverage, and access to mental health care for children and adults.

Why should voters choose you for this seat?

I believe I have earned the vote of my constituents because I have persistently demonstrated my hard work and advocacy for my community. I did this by hosting nearly 40 events this legislative session focused on family-friendly services, including multiple town halls with open forums, raising nearly $6 million in grants this legislative session to support projects ranging from infrastructure to first responders to behavioral health care, attending and supporting community events, passing legislation aimed at solving the problems we face every day, and ensuring that my staff and I are available to serve every resident in our community serve.

What do you like most about the neighborhood?

The people! It’s the people of this district who make our schools strong, our small businesses grow and our communities thrive. We are here to support each other when tragedy strikes and to celebrate each other when we achieve great things. We are also there for each other in more everyday ways, by volunteering as a local firefighter or scout leader, attending an event at the local library, donating blood at your church’s blood drive, or going to the local farmers market every weekend. work. . I am endlessly proud to be a part of a place as special as Delco, and remain humbled and grateful to be your voice in Harrisburg.

Challenger: Liz Piazza, R

Age: 64

Occupation: Operational Manager/CEO of Piazza Property Pros Inc.

Political experience: Assistant Committee Member, Upper Providence Township (2000-2001); board member of Media Borough (2023-2024); board member, Upper Providence Township (2024-present)

Why are you running and what are your priorities in this race?

I run to bring a new perspective to Harrisburg. Currently, Harrisburg is broken. Our House of Representatives in Pennsylvania is one of the least productive in the last thirty years because we don’t have representatives in Harrisburg who are willing to build consensus and bipartisan solutions. I want to be a representative like our region used to have, like Representatives Bill Adolph, Chris Quinn, and Alex Charlton, and bring back bipartisan problem solving to help resolve the gridlock in Harrisburg.

As your representative, I will prioritize solutions that will put money back in taxpayers’ pockets as we work to get out of high prices. I will also work to reduce energy costs, which are expected to rise as a result of current energy policies such as the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. There are other ways to diversify our energy production in the Commonwealth without burdening consumers with additional costs. Finally, I want to help families struggling with the opioid epidemic. As a grandmother who has had to take over custody of my grandchildren, I understand what many families are going through and want to help create programs that will help provide treatment to the people who need it and help families with loved ones receive those affected by opioids.

Why should voters choose you for this seat?

I bring experience and a no-nonsense approach. As a former 20-something provincial employee, mother, grandmother and businesswoman, I bring a wealth of experience. My priority is with my constituents, not my party and certainly not special interest groups. I will work for all voters and listen to everyone when I arrive in Harrisburg before voting in our district.

What do you like most about the neighborhood?

I love all the green spaces our community has to offer, from Rose Tree Park in Upper Providence, Glen Providence Park in Media, Smedley Park in Springfield and everyone else in between. Each one offers so many opportunities for people to enjoy our environment and nature. As your representative, I will ensure we preserve it.

The neighborhood

The 165th Pa. House District includes Media, Morton and Swarthmore townships, Springfield and Upper Providence and part of Marple Township.