Little competition for a state House seat in Franklin County
Photo by Courtesy
Paul Schemel, who has six kids, says he wants Pennsylvania to be a place of opportunity for them.
(Harrisburg) — A single major party candidate is on the ballot for the dramatically reshaped 90th state House district in Franklin County.
Republican Paul Schemel won the GOP primary earlier this year by a couple hundred votes.
But his only opponent is independent William Hornbarger, who did not respond to WITF’s repeated requests for an interview.
Democrats didn’t even have a candidate in May – the seat hasn’t been in their hands since Jimmy Carter was President.
Schemel says he believes in limited government, but is willing to listen to everyone.
“I don’t deal with partisanship, that’s not what I deal with in the private sector now. I understand there’s partisanship certainly in the state Legislature but as a legislator, I think it’s my job to find reasonable solutions and I understand that reasonable solutions means working with everyone,” he says.
Schemel, a lawyer from Greencastle, places property taxes and state pensions as his top priorities like many Republican candidates.
“I’ve got experience from the private sector that’s what I do for a living, is help to negotiate deals and get clients what they are looking for. I certainly understand that within the state Legislature, there’s a different approach to that, but hopefully I can bring some of the experience that I have to play in a very positive way into that discussion,” he says.
If he wins November 4th, he’ll replace Representative Todd Rock, who announced his retirement earlier this year.
A collection of interviews, photos, and music videos, featuring local musicians who have stopped by the WITF performance studio to share a little discussion and sound. Produced by WITF’s Joe Ulrich.
