KICK-OFF TIME FOR PA ELECTIONS | February 2024
Quite a few football fans in Pennsylvania are disappointed heading into this year’s Super Bowl (especially those of us who are Steelers or Eagles fans). What is kicking off right now is the start of election season in our state, which may be less exciting for some but will set the stage for an impactful future.
Right now, everyone running for office in this year’s election must circulate petitions to be signed by the potential constituents of that office’s jurisdiction. Valid petitions are due by mid-February, and those names appear on Primary ballots on April 23rd. While it is far too early to know who may appear on ballots yet, the need for signatures and getting traction for name recognition means that you have an opportunity to talk with those candidates (incumbent and newcomers) when they are the most anxious to speak with the public.
There will be new faces in Pennsylvania politics, which presents an opportunity to educate those individuals as potential advocates for merit shops regardless of the results at the ballot box. Several state legislators have announced that they will not run for re-election (at least 14 have already confirmed that they are not staying in their seats.) There are also many congressional and state legislators seeing challengers.
We encourage you to find events where candidates may introduce themselves to their district. ABC Keystone has been tracking the votes of sitting legislators and will soon make recommendations based on their records to give you time to research before the primaries. While all this may sound far away and unimportant, it will be here soon. For the state House of Representatives, this year’s election could finally settle the narrow one-seat majority democrats have, or it could give them an even more substantial majority. In Congress, there is an equal battle for who may take control of the U.S. Senate, and the U.S. House continually needs a coalescing force.
ABC Keystone encourages its members to get involved with legislative, political and regulatory proposals that impact the merit shop construction industry. We provide resources for members to better understand, support, and voice opinions on legislation.
