There are two special elections for open Pennsylvania state House seats on Tuesday, February 17, and both could have a major impact on majority control in the chamber.<\/p>\n
In the 22nd Legislative District, Democrat Ana Tiburcio and Republican Robert E. Smith Jr. meet to fill out the remaining term of Josh Siegel, who resigned from his seat to become Lehigh County Executive.<\/p>\n
Two separate elections will be held for the 2027-28 term \u2013 a primary on May 17 and the general election on November 5.<\/p>\n
Ana Tiburcio (D)<\/p>\n
Experience: Owner, A&M Tax & Services. Allentown School District (ASD) Board of Directors. Program Coordinator for Fine Feather Foundation. Allentown Works volunteer.<\/p>\n
Reason For Running. She said she is a mother and she knows the struggles involved with getting the city projects that the residents need. Tiburcio said she has a son who is incarcerated, so she understands that prisons need the resources to aid with education, job training, and mental health that will give people a second chance when they reenter society.<\/p>\n
Priorities.<\/p>\n
Housing. Wants to be involved in plans to address affordable housing and infrastructure.<\/p>\n
Education. Says student performance has grown compared to previous years and getting better every day.<\/p>\n
Minimum Wage. Supports raising wage to $15 per hour.<\/p>\n
Election Integrity. Does not support attempts to nationalize elections.<\/p>\n
Public Transit. People should not expect fewer resources in a district that has more people relying on public transit than anywhere else in the region.<\/p>\n
Recreational Cannabis. Supports.<\/p>\n
Education: Northampton Community College.<\/p>\n
Links:\u00a0Website\u00a0|\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Instagram<\/a> | LinkedIn<\/a><\/p>\n What They\u2019re Saying. \u201cI\u2019m not running to be a title. I\u2019m running to be a voice. A voice that listens, works and brings people together. This is about representation, accountability and community.\u201d<\/p>\n Robert Smith (R)<\/p>\n Experience: Former Allentown City Councilman. Former ASD board member (2003-19) and program specialist for a mental health provider.<\/p>\n Reason For Running. He said he sees himself as a maverick who will not be intimidated by either party. He said he will represent everyone from the Lehigh Valley regardless of party affiliation. He said he sees a country that is divided along party lines but many of the people he speaks with are independent voters or unaffiliated with any party.<\/p>\n Priorities.<\/p>\n Political Identity. \u201cI\u2019m a conservative, but I\u2019m also a moderate on social issues. I\u2019m a fiscal conservative. I\u2019m religious. My wife and I are Roman Catholic. We believe in conservative values with family people, and I believe that (Donald Trump and Doug Mastriano) were the best people for the right moment, in the right time in our country\u2019s history.\u201d <\/p>\n Housing. Unsure of supporting governor\u2019s proposal to float a $1 billion bond for affordable housing and infrastructure. \u201cI\u2019m not saying we don\u2019t borrow it all, but first it has to be at the right time.\u201d<\/p>\n Education. Supports school choice legislation, but called for the state to reinstate a policy that reimburses public schools for charter school tuition, a practice that was ended in 2011. Wants state to end overly rigid curriculum requirements.<\/p>\n Minimum Wage. Supports raising wage to $15 per hour.<\/p>\n Election Integrity. Does not support attempts to nationalize elections. <\/p>\n Public Transit. State should be using money from gas tax to fund public transit. Will fight to give Philadelphia less for public transit and Allentown more.<\/p>\n Neighborhoods. Supports a gas bill to force a public audit of Allentown\u2019s Neighborhood Improvement Zone.<\/p>\n Women\u2019s Sports. Support bill to ban transgender students from competing in sports leagues that match their gender identity.<\/p>\n Recreational Cannabis. Supports.<\/p>\n Education: Middlesex County College, New York University.<\/p>\n