The 16th District of Pennsylvania includes Allentown; townships of Heidelberg, Lower Macungie, Lower Milford, Lowhill, Lynn, North Whitehall, South Whitehall, Upper Macungie, Upper Milford, Upper Saucon, Washington and Weisenberg; Boroughs of Alburtis, Coopersburg, Macungie and Slatington.

Incumbent State Sen. Patrick Browne, Republican, is running in the May 20 primary.

Q. Why should voters re-elect you to represent the 15th district?

A. Pennsylvania faces tremendous financial obstacles and tough decisions. We need legislators who understand the impacts of their decisions. I am working to keep state spending and taxes low to promote an economic climate where businesses will invest and create opportunities for our hard working families. It is imperative that we make informed decisions about funding for vital state programs without placing an oppressive future burden on our children and grandchildren. The Independent Fiscal Office, which I proposed, ensures that budgets are passed on time and your taxes achieve the results you expect from state government. I led the effort to create PennWATCH, a searchable, database-driven budget website to monitor state spending and make government more open and accountable. With re-election, I plan to chair a basic education funding commission which will recommend a new state funding formula to provide equity and fairness to all schools throughout Pennsylvania.

Democratic candidate Walter Felton Jr. is challenging Browne in the May 20 primary.

Q. Why should voters elect you to represent the 16th district?

A. If we want a government that respects the people, we need to elect leaders who are of the people, by the people, and for the people.

·Education- supporting teachers and students by increasing taxes on large non- and for profit companies, taxing companies that extract natural gas and oil

·Better Healthcare Reform to reflect the Affordable Healthcare Act, which better protects our seniors, working class families

·Creating jobs – fair wages for work done, increasing the minimum wage

·Equality - empowering women in our state, supporting LGBT rights

·Ending homelessness in our community for families and veterans

·Fight for safer community base policing and fighting for better prison reform

Having proudly worn five different uniforms – Air Force, Navy, Army, Allentown Police Department and currently Northampton County Deputy Sheriff– serving my country and community, I am also proudly a member of five different unions - UAW 677, IBT 773, United Steel Workers 2598, FOP and Northampton County Deputy Sheriffs Union, of which I was the former president. I am the best candidate to represent the 16th Senatorial District with honor and integrity. I am a man of the people and a leader for our times. Our community deserves a fighting chance. I have worked 30 years to make our country and community safer and stronger. I am ready to take the fight to Harrisburg.