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While the state does not require third-party or independent candidates to secure a specific number of signatures from different parts of the state, Dastra said he still made a point to hit different regions to campaign including Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Scranton. He also campaigned in rural Mifflin and Tioga counties.<\/p>\n
The Lancaster community, though, helped get him across the finish line to get on the ballot, Dastra said.<\/p>\n
Dastra has centered his campaign around data center development. He said the state needs to enact a mandatory moratorium on data centers to allow local communities to have meaningful conversations about their impact before they are approved.<\/p>\n
As he campaigned, Dastra said data centers have stood out as a chief issue to Pennsylvanian residents across party lines. People are concerned about the environmental and health impacts data center development could have on the state.<\/p>\n
\u201cPennsylvania voters truly don\u2019t feel that either party are doing anything to address the data center issue,\u201d Dastra said.<\/p>\n
Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro, who is running for a second term, and Republican nominee Stacy Garrity have flopped their stances on data centers over the past year. Both candidates previously heralded data centers as a key factor to Pennsylvania\u2019s future, though they have recently walked back their support after people across the state have become highly critical of rapidly growing developments.<\/p>\n
If elected, Dastra said he also wants to ensure state lawmakers adopt a budget by the mandatory deadline. He previously told LNP | LancasterOnline the state\u2019s monthslong budget impasse last year inspired him to run.<\/p>\n
This year, as most lawmakers campaign for reelection<\/a>, the budget was passed nearly two weeks after the June 30 deadline.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
History in politics<\/p>\n The Pennsylvania Green Party endorsed Dastra for the seat<\/a> in March. Party leaders said he would provide much needed change for the state.<\/p>\n Craig Bolton, of Philadelphia, filed paperwork to run as the Green Party\u2019s lieutenant governor.<\/p>\n Dastra\u2019s name is likely familiar to many Lancaster residents. He\u2019s run for multiple citywide officers over the last decade after first getting involved in local politics at 20 years old. He currently works as an administrative assistant for Lancaster Township\u2019s public works department.<\/p>\n In 2017, Dastra ran for mayor as an independent candidate against Democrat Danene Sorace. He ran again for mayor as a Green Party candidate against Democrat Jaime Arroyo in 2025.<\/p>\n
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