Tag Archives: Patty Kim

General election contest set for Harrisburg area, as races for Congress, statehouse take shape

April 23, 2024 | by Lawrance Binda

Campaign signs on Tuesday outside Harrisburg city hall

Democrat Janelle Stelson will face long-time incumbent Rep. Scott Perry in the Harrisburg area’s 10^th congressional district race, as the general election field for federal and state offices took shape on Tuesday.

With nearly all votes counted in the PA primary, Stelson held a commanding lead in the six-person field for the Democratic nomination. The retired TV news anchor tallied almost 44% of the primary vote, nearly twice as much as her closest competitor, retired Marine Corps pilot Mike O’Brien. Candidates Shamaine Daniels, Rick Coplen, Blake Lynch and John Broadhurst, respectively, trailed the top two vote-getters.

In the Nov. 5 election, Stelson will compete against six-term incumbent Perry, who ran unopposed in the Republican primary.

“Thank you to those of you who voted for me. I will spend the next six months working hard to make you proud,” Stelson said, in a statement. “I am reaching out to Democrats, independents and Republicans who Congressman Perry has ignored and disrespected, to make the case for commonsense problem-solving, instead of extremism and chaos.”

In the PA statehouse, the battle for the newly redrawn 15^th senatorial district is also set, as long-time state Rep. Patty Kim cruised by her Democratic challenger, Alvin Q. Taylor, a Harrisburg-area pastor. In the November general election, she will face Dauphin County Treasurer Nick DiFrancesco, who won the Republican nomination against Kenneth Stambaugh.

Kim is leaving her House seat to run for state Senate, which sparked a competitive five-person race for the open 103^rd district legislative seat.

In that contest, Nate Davidson, a PA Capitol staffer, defeated four challengers: Camp Hill council member Mercedes Evans, UPMC executive Tina Nixon, Lemoyne council member Jesse Monoski and Harrisburg resident Laura Harding.

The 103rd district includes communities on both the east and west shores, and Davidson, of Harrisburg, won by pulling votes from both sides of the river, while the other candidates received support mainly from their home areas. He will run in November against Cynthia Ward, who ran unopposed for the Republican nomination.

In other local state House contests, incumbents Dave Madsen (D-104) and Justin Fleming (D-105) ran unopposed in their races. No Republicans ran for those seats, meaning the incumbents likely will win re-election in November. Likewise, incumbent Tom Mehaffie (R-106) ran unopposed in his primary and faces no Democratic opposition in the general election.

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Dauphin County treasurer DiFrancesco announces for open state Senate seat

January 31, 2024 | by Lawrance Binda

Nick DiFrancesco

A familiar name in Dauphin County has announced his candidacy for an open state Senate seat.

On Wednesday, Nick DiFrancesco said that he would pursue the Republican nomination for the 15th senatorial district, which includes the lower half of the county.

DiFrancesco currently serves as county treasurer, following his election last November. He previously served as county commissioner, Highspire council member and Lower Swatara Township commissioner.

“I’ve always focused on the needs of the communities I’ve represented,” DiFrancesco said in his campaign announcement. “There aren’t Republican or Democrat challenges, and there are rarely one-sided solutions. I’ve always worked with anyone who wanted to solve our problems and strengthen our communities.”

Sen. John DiSanto, a Republican, is retiring after serving two terms, leaving the 15^th district seat open.

On the Democratic side, longtime state Rep. Patty Kim has announced her candidacy for the seat, as has Harrisburg pastor Alvin Q. Taylor.

In addition to his elected positions, DiFrancesco has served as president of the Pennsylvania Association of Community Bankers.

In his announcement, DiFrancesco said that he would focus on such issues as schools, safety and the economy.

“My record stands for all to see,” he said. “I will fight for this community before all else, and that means making certain that every child has a shot at a good education, regardless of zip code, every resident feels safe in their community, and everyone has a pathway to the skills needed to get a good job.”

The primary election is slated for April 23, with the general election on Nov. 5.

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Capitol staffer to declare his candidacy for 103rd district House seat

January 5, 2024 | by Lawrance Binda

Nate Davidson

A Pa. Capitol staff member is jumping into the increasingly crowded race for a state House of Representatives seat, the fifth candidate to enter the field.

Harrisburg resident Nate Davidson, a Democrat, said that he will officially launch his campaign for the 103rd district seat on Jan. 14 at an event at Zeroday Brewing Co. in Midtown.

“This election is about sending the best advocate for our community to the Capitol, and I am truly humbled by the support I have received from friends in the community as well as supporters from outside the Susquehanna valley,” Davidson said.

He said that he already has been campaigning and, so far, has raised $20,000 in campaign funds over the past month.

For the past five years, Davidson has worked for the state House of Representatives, first as floor manager to the Democratic Caucus and then as senior advisor to the chair of the House Appropriations Committee.

He becomes at least the fifth Democrat vying for the open seat for the 103rd legislative district, which includes the lower half of Harrisburg and the west shore communities of Camp Hill, Lemoyne, Wormleysburg and East Pennsboro Township.

In addition to Davidson, Harrisburg residents Tina Nixon and Laura Harding have announced their candidacies, as have Camp Hill council member Mercedes Evans and Lemoyne council member Jesse Monoski. All are Democrats.

Long-time Rep. Patty Kim is vacating the House seat to seek the open 15th district Senate seat.

In his announcement, Davidson, a Messiah University graduate, said that he would focus on issues such as funding for local projects like rebuilding the Broad Street Market, investing in public schools and defending abortion rights.

“The campaign is just getting started and I look forward to speaking with more neighbors about why we need a pro-choice, pro-public education and pro-union representative in the House,” he said.

The Pennsylvania primary is slated for April 23, and the general election is scheduled for Nov. 5.

For more information on Nate Davidson, visit his campaign website.

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Veteran Harrisburg Democrat announces for 15th Senate district race

January 2, 2024 | by Lawrance Binda

Alvin Q. Taylor

A Harrisburg pastor has announced his candidacy for a Dauphin County-based state Senate district.

On Tuesday, Alvin Q. Taylor said that he would run as a Democrat for the 15th district, which includes the lower half of the county, including its major population centers.

In his announcement, Taylor said that his campaign would focus on healthcare issues and school equity and choice, among other issues.

“Our community has the unending problem of gun violence and death, which affects everyone’s quality of life,” Taylor sated. “We have to re-direct and re-prioritize taxpayers’ funds to address education, senior healthcare, homelessness and veteran’s issues.”

In the Democratic primary, Taylor will compete against Rep. Patty Kim, the long-time legislator from the 103rd House district, who also is seeking the open Senate seat being vacated by Republican Sen. John DiSanto.

Taylor has run for the state Senate before, competing unsuccessfully in both the 2016 and 2020 primaries. He is the long-time minister of United Missionary Baptist Church in Harrisburg and holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Virginia Union University. He has lived in Dauphin County for 68 years.

The Pennsylvania primary is slated for April 23, with the general election scheduled for Nov. 5.

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Harrisburg community activist announces run for 103rd district House seat

December 12, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda

Laura Harding

The field for a Harrisburg-based state House seat has grown again, as an area community activist today announced her entry into the race.

On Tuesday, Laura Harding said that she would run as a Democrat for the open seat for the 103^rd legislative district.

A Camp Hill native and Navy veteran, Harding is a long-time Harrisburg resident. She currently serves as the president of the community group, Camp Curtin Neighborhoods United, and is a member of the William Penn High School task force, a 26-member body tasked with offering recommendations for future uses for the shuttered Uptown school building.

With her announcement, Harding joins an increasingly crowded field of candidates for the seat, which is being vacated by long-time Rep. Patty Kim, who is running for the 15^th district state Senate seat.

Several other Democrats have previously announced for the 103^rd district House seat, including Tina Nixon of Harrisburg, Camp Hill council member Mercedes Evans and Lemoyne council member Jesse Monoski.

The 103^rd district represents about half of Harrisburg and the west shore communities of Camp Hill, East Pennsboro Township, Lemoyne and Wormleysburg.

The Pennsylvania primary is currently slated for April 23, and the general election is scheduled for Nov. 5.

For more information, visit Harding’s campaign website.

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Holiday Health Fair offers community touch point to kids’ wellness resources

December 7, 2023 | by Maddie Gittens

Children took photos with Santa during the health fair.

Dozens of families gathered in the Allison Hill Community Center on Wednesday for a health-focused holiday event.

State Rep. Patty Kim (D-103) and Harrisburg-based Latino Connection hosted their first Holiday Youth Health Fair to provide access to health and community resources, while also having fun.

“We don’t talk about kids’ health enough,” said George Fernandez, CEO of Latino Connection and Color & Culture. “I want to drive kids into these health programs.”

The fair hosted around 50 vendors, including local mentorship and after school programs, as well as health and wellness providers and other organizations.

According to Fernandez, several hundred community members attended, getting a free meal, participating in crafts and activities, taking a picture with Santa and some winning raffle prizes. Attendees were also able to speak with healthcare representatives and receive information. Flu vaccinations were also available on site.

Holiday Youth Health Fair inside the Allison Hill Community Center

“I’m a big believer in a one-stop shop,” Kim said. “When the parents see what’s available, they may not need it now, but they know that it’s out there.”

Kim sees this event, which will take place annually, as a place for those who feel overwhelmed by the healthcare system to find that there are people who can help.

“To have people there to walk you through things can be so helpful,” she said.

For more information about Latino Connection, visit their website.

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Lemoyne council member declares for Harrisburg-area Assembly seat

November 13, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda

Jesse Monoski

A Lemoyne council member has joined a quickly growing field seeking to become a state representative in the Harrisburg area.

Jesse Monoski today said that he planned to run in next year’s Democratic primary for the 103^rd legislative district.

“The Harrisburg area is my home, and the residents and businesses within the 103rd district deserve strong, compassionate representation,” he said in a statement. “I am committed to leveraging my state and local experience to address the pressing issues facing our communities.”

Monoski has served on the Lemoyne borough council since January 2020. He works in the state Capitol as an executive director for the Pennsylvania State Senate Democratic Caucus.

The House seat is being vacated by long-time Rep. Patty Kim, who last month announced that she is running for the 15^th state Senate district.

So far, at least two other Democrats have announced for Kim’s seat: Tina Nixon of Harrisburg and Camp Hill council member, Mercedes Evans.

The 103^rd district encompasses about half of Harrisburg and the west shore communities of Lemoyne, Camp Hill, Wormleysburg and East Pennsboro Township.

The Pennsylvania primary is currently slated for April 23, after a recent attempt to move the date up appears to have failed. The general election is scheduled for Nov. 5.

According to Monoski’s announcement, he will focus on defending the state’s pro-choice laws, advocating for increased support for senior benefits programs, and fighting for more affordable, high-quality childcare.

“I am honored to embark on this journey to represent the people of the 103rd district,” he said. “Together, we can prioritize the needs and aspirations of every resident and fight for policies that address real issues facing working families.”

For more information, visit Monoski’s campaign website.

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The Week that Was: News and features around Harrisburg

October 20, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda and Maddie Gittens

Harrisburg announced that trick-or-treat night would take place on Halloween. (file photo)

It’s 3^rd in the Burg so, if you’re reading this on Friday, make sure you check out all that the city has to offer tonight. And if you run into our new coordinator for the event, Skye Leppo, make sure you say “Hi!” Before heading out, catch up on this week’s news coverage, below.

The Cathedral Education Center project was completed after two years of construction, including renovating its Catholic Elementary School on Liberty Street and the Shanahan Center on North Street. Click here to see pictures of the newly remodeled space.

The Harrisburg School District’s William Penn task force met this week to discuss the future of the long-vacant building, our online story reported. District officials hope that after several meetings, a consensus will be reached on whether to demolish, keep or sell the property.

The I-83 reconstruction project through Harrisburg will begin next week, PennDOT announced. To find out more about the beginning stages of the project, which will take around five years, read our online story.

PennDOT announced that it would hold public meetings to discuss its I-83 South Bridge Project, our online story reported. The meetings will give the community a chance to view and comment on the Environmental Assessment prepared for the project.

Rep. Patty Kim (D-103) announced that she would run for the newly reconfigured 15^th state Senate district, our reporting found. Since 2017, the district has been represented by a Republican, however, due to redistricting, that seat will lean more heavily Democratic in the 2024 election.

Rosemary has a unique Italian recipe for you to try this month. Click here to learn how to make mostarda, a fruit relish.

The Rummagers opened recently in Midtown Harrisburg, selling unique, vintage items, our magazine story reported. At the shop, customers can find collectible toys, vinyl records, clothing and more.

Sara Bozich has a full list of fall activities for your weekend, here.

Tina Nixon, a Harrisburg-area native, announced that she would seek the Democratic nomination for the 103^rd legislative district, our online story reported. Nixon is hoping to win the seat currently occupied by Rep. Patty Kim, who announced she would run next year for the state Senate.

Trick-or-treat night in Harrisburg will take place on Halloween, Oct. 31, after many years of the city holding the event the Thursday before the holiday, our online story reported. The city will also host its Bash at the Brownstone Halloween event at Reservoir Park on Oct. 25.

Wix, Wenger and Weidner, a Harrisburg-based law firm, celebrates its 50^th anniversary this year, our magazine story reported. Many staff and clients have remained loyal to the firm for years.

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Former CEO of local YWCA declares candidacy for state Assembly seat

October 20, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda

Tina Nixon (file photo)

A longtime community activist and nonprofit executive has decided to run next year for a seat in the state House of Representatives.

Tina Nixon, a Harrisburg-area native, announced today she would seek the Democratic nomination for the 103^rd legislative district, which spans about half of Harrisburg and the west shore communities of Camp Hill, Lemoyne, Wormleysburg and East Pennsboro Township.

“I want to take my record of more than 30 years of dedicated public service and servant leadership to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to ensure that our communities get their fair share from the state government,” Nixon said, in a statement.

For the past decade, Rep. Patty Kim has represented the district, but she announced on Thursday that she would leave the seat and run next year for the state Senate’s 15^th district, which covers southern Dauphin County. According to Nixon, she has received Kim’s endorsement for the seat.

Nixon started her career in the state Capitol, working for former Speaker of the House K. Leroy Irvis. She has also served as CEO of the YWCA of Greater Harrisburg and, most recently, as a vice president with UPMC in Central Pa.

Nixon also briefly served as a member of the Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority, a state-appointed body tasked with overseeing Harrisburg’s financial recovery. Throughout her career, she has served on many other nonprofit boards, including for Fort Hunter and the Joshua Center, according to her press statement.

“Throughout my career, I’ve learned that when we work together, we can achieve extraordinary results that make a difference in people’s lives,” Nixon stated. “My focus will be on bringing together people of different points of view, backgrounds, and experiences to solve problems in our communities.”

The Pennsylvania primary is currently slated for April 23, after a recent attempt to move the date up appears to have failed. The general election is scheduled for Nov. 5.

To learn more about Tina Nixon, read our profile from 2019.

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Kim announces for state Senate in reconfigured 15th district

October 19, 2023 | by Lawrance Binda

Rep. Patty Kim

A long-serving, Harrisburg-area state House representative has announced a bid for the state Senate.

In a brief video on the “X” social media platform (previously Twitter), Rep. Patty Kim (D-103) said that she would run for the newly reconfigured 15^th state Senate district, which encompasses the lower half of Dauphin County, including its major population centers.

“I have a long record of service, and I’m on record fighting for issues that I believe are important to your family,” Kim said, in her video.

Since 2017, the district has been represented by state Sen. John DiSanto, a Republican. However, due to redistricting, that seat, starting with the 2024 election, will lean more heavily Democratic.

Kim, a former TV news journalist, launched her political career with a seat on Harrisburg City Council. She then was elected to the state Assembly in 2012 and has served the 103^rd legislative district since.

Kim’s Senate bid will open up her current seat in the state House of Representatives, a district that includes the lower half of Harrisburg and several west shore communities in Cumberland County.

“I’ve been so humbled by your support in the past, and I hope I can earn your support as your next state senator,” Kim said, in her announcement.

The Pennsylvania primary is currently slated for April 23, after a recent attempt to move the date up appears to have failed. The general election is scheduled for Nov. 5.

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