2020 Leg. Candidate Questionnaire: Anton Andrew, 160th State House District

Anton Andrew Editor’s Note: As has been our tradition, The Times sent our its annual questionnaire to all Chester County legislative candidates, via their respective party. We publish these responses entirely unedited and unfiltered to give readers an honest assessment of the candidates and their positions. They will be published as candidates return them to us. Although there are many major...

Friel announces run for 26th District state house seat

Paul Friel Owen J. Robert School Board member Paul Friel announced his candidacy for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, legislative district 26, this week. As a community leader, executive manager, and local business owner — Friel’s vision for the district reflects the values he will bring to Harrisburg. “My vision for our community is not about the politics of Harrisburg —...

Williams announces $2.2M rail freight improvement project for Chester County

State Rep. Dan Williams COATESVILLE – State Rep. Dan Williams, D-Chester, announced a $2.2 million investment in rail freight infrastructure to improve sections of railway in Chester County. The funding, approved Thursday, is part of a statewide effort to enhance freight mobility while creating or sustaining more than 390 jobs across Pennsylvania, according to an announcement from the Pennsylvania...

Comey’s bombshells, redistricting gutted and the GOP’s internal fighting

By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Gosh, another boring two weeks where nothing happened in politics. Well, except for former FBI Director James Comey apparently referring to President Donald Trump as a “Mob Boss,” Speaker of the U.S. House Paul Ryan announcing that he won’t be running for reelection to the House, the head of the Republican Congressional Campaign ripping into a local Republican...

Lewis announces plans to retire from the House after 2018

State Rep. Harry Lewis Jr. Rep. Harry Lewis Jr. (R-74) today announced that his second term in office, which will end with the 2017-18 session, will be his final one as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. His retirement will follow 56 years of public service. “Because of the citizens of the 74th District, I proudly worked in Harrisburg – despite the inevitable bureaucratic limitations...

The Times’ Magazine: A sit down with Carolyn Comitta

Editor’s note: this is the first of what we hope will be a regular, magazine style feature on either a subject or personality of interest to Chester County. Like a true magazine feature, it is long-form and written from the author’s perspective. We welcome your comments, suggestions for future such pieces and input. State Rep. Carolyn Comitta (D-156) By Emily Pisano, Special to The Times Clad...

GOP turns back Democratic tide locally

Republicans hold all nine Chester County state house seats, Romney wins narrow victory By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Among Tuesday’s legislative winners in Chester County, from top left: State Sen. Andrew Dinniman (D-19), State Sen. Dominic Pieleggi (R-9), from middle left: State Rep. Tim Hennessey (R-26), State Rep. John Lawrence (R-13), State Rep. Steve Barrar (R-160), from left left, State...

Letter: Ross didn’t protect open space

To the Editor Rep. Chris Ross (R-158) voted for House Bill 2224 which, according to the Pennsylvania Land Trust Association, PennFuture and many other open space organizations,  puts public land, including much-loved parks, at risk of being sold for short term gain or on a political whim.  It tosses out longstanding rules that ensure government cannot sell parks and other Open Space if the lands...

Will HB 1077 impact statehouse races?

Will abortion politics motivate voters to vote for Democrats? By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times I hate the subject of abortion. With a deep, dark abiding passion. But it’s possible I may have underestimated its impact on the 2012 elections when it comes to local state house races. I spent the better part of my Saturday morning last week on the courthouse steps in West Chester listening to a rally...