LOCK HAVEN — Multiples state and federal races will be featured on ballots for the upcoming Primary Election, however many are uncontested for now.
The Express has compiled brief information about each candidate prior to the Primary Election on Tuesday, April 23:
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
76th District
The 76th District for the State House of Representatives — which encompasses all of Clinton County and a portion of Union County — will see one candidate each on the Republican and Democrat ballots.
Incumbent Stephanie Borowicz, a Republican, is looking to secure a fourth term in the House. Borowicz has served in this position since 2018.
During the 2023-24 session, Stephanie was appointed to serve on the following House committees: Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Environmental Resources and Energy, and Health.
“Faith, family, patriotism, personal responsibility and a strong work ethic were impressed upon Stephanie at an early age. As a mother, former fourth-grade teacher, and pastor’s wife, Stephanie understands the importance of eliminating wasteful spending, increasing funding for local schools and fighting to reduce taxes for families, seniors, farmers and job creators,” Borowicz biography reads on her website, www.repstephanie.com.
“With an uncompromising belief in the original intent of our state and federal constitutions, Stephanie is deeply committed to protecting our God-given rights and freedoms from intrusive government overreach, which includes safeguarding our Second Amendment liberties and protecting the sanctity of all human life,” the biography continues.
A graduate of Vanguard University and former president of a nonprofit organization, Stephanie lives in McElhattan with her husband, Jason, and has three sons, Braden, Jacob and Micah.
To learn more about Borowicz visit www.repstephanie.com.
Denise Maris will be running on the Democratic ballot, her second attempt to clinch the House seat after losing to Borowicz in 2022.
According to her website, www.denisemaris.com, Maris holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and a Master’s Degree in Health Sciences with a concentration in Healthcare Management and has served as the Director of Human Resources at the former SusqueView Home, Inc. In addition, she is a graduate of Leadership Clinton County, President of the West Branch Society for Human Resources. She also volunteers in various capacities including with the Salvation Army Food Pantry and is a member of the Clinton County Democratic Women and Downtown Lock Haven Rotary Club.
“When Denise saw that the people of the 76th District were not being represented as they should have been, she decided to step up,” Maris’ website reads. “She wants to know the issues that are important to the people. She believes that “If you have a problem, then we have a problem.” She wants to help find the solutions to the obstacles that our communities are facing.”
To learn more about Maris visit www.denisemaris.com.
Barring any substantial write-in votes on either the Democrat or Republican ballots, both Borowicz and Maris are expected to face off in the November General Election.
82nd District
Incumbent Paul Takac will be the sole candidate on the Democratic ballot for the 82nd District of the State House of Representatives.
The 82nd Legislative District encompasses the townships of Benner, Boggs, Burnside, College, Curtin, Harris, Howard, Liberty, Marion, Snow Shoe and Union, along with the boroughs of Howard, Milesburg, Snow Shoe and part of State College.
In a release announcing his re-election campaign, Takac said his goal would be to continue focusing on securing full and fair funding for public education and workforce development, protecting our environment and supporting the transition to a clean, renewable energy economy.
Takac currently serves on the following committees: Agriculture & Rural Affairs; Committee On Committees; Education; Environmental Resources & Energy; is Chair of the Subcommittee on Mining; Tourism & Economic & Recreational Development; is Chair of the Subcommittee on Recreation; Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness; and the Subcommittee on Security and Emergency Response Readiness.
Prior to his election, Takac worked for over 20 years in educational technology, leading a sales and consulting team that worked with schools across Pennsylvania. He also served as an elected member of College Township Council and as Chair of both the Spring Creek Watershed Commission and the Centre Region Council of Government’s Public Safety Committee.
To learn more about Takac visit www.paultakac.com.
Therese Hollen will be the sole candidate on the Republican ballot for the 82nd District in the Primary Election.
In her announcement released to The Express, Hollen said the people of Centre County and Pennsylvania have the right to a legislature that works for them.
Hollen’s announcement sited areas of interest she would focus on if elected to the seat that include: ensuring the safety of residents from violent crime; where first responders are supported and strengthened; education opens opportunities for children; families won’t need to choose between groceries or medicine; where fixed incomes are not jeopardized by “reckless government spending”; businesses can flourish; energy is efficient, abundant and clean; farmers; where farmers can feed communities.
To learn more about Hollen visit www.electhollen.com.
Both candidates are expected to move onto the General Election ballot in November.
STATE SENATE
25th District
Incumbent Cris Dush is the sole candidate on the Republican ballot for the 25th District in the Pennsylvania Senate. Dush was first elected to the seat in 2020.
The 25th District encompasses a portion of Centre and Jefferson counties and the entirety of Cameron, Clinton, Elk, Mckean and Potter counties.
Dush, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, currently serves on the following committees: Chair of State Government, Vice Chair of Intergovernmental Operations, Appropriations, Game and Fisheries, Judiciary, Local Government and Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness.
“His priorities as state senator include reducing government spending and over-regulation, working to balance budgets, and fighting against tax increases. He is a strong supporter of 2nd amendment rights and will work to protect the constitutional rights of Pennsylvanians, to protect the freedoms they enjoy,” according to Dush’s official PA State Senate information page.
Although not listed on the Democratic ballot, William McGill previously announced his intent to run a write-in campaign during the Primary Election with the goal of securing a spot against Dush in the November General Election.
To learn more about Dush visit www.senatordush.com.
William McGill or “Bill” as he is known, was born in Lock Haven. He was raised in Mill Hall and attended Mill Hall schools. Graduating from Bald Eagle Nittany High School, he decided to forgo college and bought a neighborhood grocery store he renamed Fairview Market. He served in the U.S. Army with three years active and three years inactive duty.
Bill is semi-retired from the automobile business. His last position was a Manager of a full service repair service. For 35 years Bill managed several automobile dealerships throughout central Pennsylvania.
According to McGill’s initial release announcing his campaign, he envisions utilizing his business skills to bring about more opportunities to the 25th State Senate District. He also believes in improving educational opportunities within area school district’s by increasing funding for rural communities and forming partnerships with local educators among others.
US CONGRESS
15th District
Incumbent Glenn “GT” Thompson is looking to secure another term for the United State Congress in its 15th District. Thompson was first elected to serve in 2009.
The 15th District includes all of Armstrong, Cameron, Centre, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Forest, Jefferson, McKean, Potter, Snyder, Tioga, Union and Warren counties and parts of Indiana, Lycoming and Venango counties.
Prior to being elected, Thompson spent 28 years as a therapist, rehabilitation services manager, and a licensed nursing home administrator.
In Congress, Thompson is the Republican Leader of the House Agriculture Committee and a senior member of the House Education & Labor Committee. He also serves on the Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education and Civil Rights and Human Resources committees.
An Eagle Scout and 30 plus-year veteran of the Juniata Valley Boy Scout Council, Thompson has served as Scoutmaster, Council executive board member and Council President. He is also a former member of the Bald Eagle Area School Board, past vice-chair of the Private Industry Council of the Central Corridor, and a former Workforce Investment Board member.
To learn more about Thompson visit www.thompson.house.gov.
On the Democratic ballot, newcomer Zach “Wome” Womer is looking to take on Thompson in the General Election.
Womer, a State College native, is a 12th-generation central Pennsylvanian. He was the first person in his family to earn a college diploma. Before and while attending Denison University, he worked construction. After college, he became a law student at Pennsylvania State Law. While attending law school, he has served on the Centre County Mental Health, Intellectual Disability, and Early Intervention Advisory Board.
To learn more about Womer visit www.womeforpa.com.
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