Seated: Craig Williams, R

Age: 59

Profession: State Representative for the 160th Legislative District

Political experience: State Representative for the 160th Legislative District since 2021

Why are you running and what are your priorities in this race?

I have been in public service for much of my adult life.

Before becoming a State Representative for the 160th Legislative District, I served 28 years in the United States Marine Corps, retiring as a Colonel. I flew an F/A-18D during the Gulf War and, after completing law school on active duty, went on to become the chief prosecutor for the largest base in the Marine Corps. I served as Deputy Legal Counsel to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. I then served as a federal prosecutor at the Department of Justice, where I was also the prosecutor for the Joint Terrorism Task Force.

There is much work to be done. Families and seniors struggle with high costs. Taxes are too high. I want to continue my work with the Gun Violence Task Force and push for more violent crime prosecutions. I love doing the work of a state legislator in the district. When there’s a heavy rain, I don’t just call and say this intersection is flooded. I put on my reflective jacket and help move traffic, because that’s the kind of leadership my community needs: workers, not talkers. I have been proud of my leadership in the military, in the courtroom and in the capital. It is very rewarding to make a difference to your neighbors.

Why should voters elect you to this seat?

I’m proud of the reputation I’ve earned as someone who stands up for her constituents and still finds common ground to advance strong public policy.

I bring a wealth of experience and a strong educational background to the role of state legislator. In addition to being a senior officer in the Marine Corps, I was a combat veteran of Desert Storm where I flew the F/A-18D for 56 missions. I was personally decorated 11 times, including twice for bravery in battle. My military service gave me a deep sense of duty. To this day, that’s why I continue to earn full time when I could be developing my personal wealth.

I received my undergraduate degree in public policy from Duke University. While serving in the Marine Corps, I earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Florida College of Law (with high honors) and a Master of Laws in Jurisprudence, Virtue Ethics and Criminal Law from Columbia University School of Law (with high honors). As the chief prosecutor for the largest base in the Marine Corps, I handled many complex cases. I also served as Deputy Legal Counsel to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, focusing on ethics and prisoner issues in federal court.

As a federal prosecutor at the Department of Justice, in both Denver and Philadelphia, I prosecuted crimes ranging from illegal gun possession to drug distribution and fraud. My work on the Joint Terrorism Task Force further honed my skills in handling high-stakes legal matters. Notably, I prosecuted a notorious heroin distribution ring in Philadelphia, resulting in life in prison without the possibility of parole for its leader.

For over a decade I worked as a consultant for a utility company in southeastern Pennsylvania. I oversaw all manner of legal matters, including the company’s largest and most valuable regulatory matters – some litigated all the way to successful completion – to legislative initiatives, negotiated with the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Simply put, I have extensive business experience.

Since being elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in 2020, I have been actively involved in the Committee on Consumer Protection, Technology and Assistive Technology; Veterans Affairs and Preparedness Committee; and Human Services Committees. During my two terms in the House, I have worked hard to protect both consumers and businesses in my role as Public Utilities Subcommittee Chair, help protect deployed parental rights in my Pennsylvania Military Affairs Subcommittee Chair, and have advanced addiction recovery services in my role. as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Substance Abuse. Both sides of the aisle value my respectful bipartisan approach, which is why I am the last Republican left in Delaware County.

What do you like most about the neighborhood?

We are blessed to live in such a wonderful community. We have great schools, great families, great employers and great leisure facilities. Now more than ever, we need team players, willing to put politics aside and go to work for our community. It is my honor and privilege to represent a community that I know so well and the citizens that I respect so much. I would be honored to have your vote on Tuesday, November 5th.

Challenger: Elizabeth R. Moro, D

Age: 51

Profession: Small Business Owner of Centerville Place: Cafe + Market and Associate Realtor

Political experience: Political Science/Public Policy/Women’s Studies, Western Michigan University; intern in the Michigan House of Representatives; lifelong political volunteer; ran for the former 7th US Congressional District in 2017-18; candidate for PA 160 in 2024

Why are you running and what are your priorities in this race?

PA 160 deserves representation that reflects the needs of our communities, not Harrisburg politicians and special interests. Currently we have someone trying to roll back our rights and wasting our money on political vendettas. It’s time for a representative who will stand up for the things that are important to us like:

• Protect women’s reproductive freedom and access to IVF from extreme attacks

• Fully fund our public schools so that every student receives a high-quality education

• Lower property taxes and the cost of gas, food and other necessities

• Reduce health care costs and ensure families can get the care they need

• Improve our roads, bridges and rail systems and create good local jobs

• Preserve our parks, farmland and green spaces to improve quality of life

Why should voters elect you to this seat?

Our commonwealth is at a critical time, and we need leaders who are willing to listen and work hard to bring people together. I am a community leader with practical experience in solving the problems facing our constituents.

I understand the challenges of running a small business, meeting living wage wages, and the importance of addressing economic policies that lower costs for our families. I stand for our democracy, support public education and the rights we have worked hard to achieve, including personal rights such as reproductive freedom and voting rights, which are at stake.

As a real estate agent, I help families find housing and advocate fair housing practices. As the 11th of 12 children, I learned the value of teamwork in resolving differences and making sure everyone’s voice was heard. Through my community effort to help preserve Crebilly Farm in Westtown Township, I showed how neighbors can work together to create a better future for the entire community and protect the environment.

My experience as a candidate for the US Congress in 2017-18 underscored the urgent need to unite people, which inspired me to write “The Civil Graces Project,” a book focused on core principles that unite us. We must continue to move forward together.

What do you like most about the neighborhood?

My husband, Vince, and I love the people and are so grateful for the natural beauty of our area. We have raised our five children here (now adults) and have developed an incredible community through various volunteer efforts.

As co-founders of Neighbors for Crebilly, we worked with the residents of Westtown Township and surrounding communities to preserve this historic and environmental treasure. We are restoring our Chadds Ford historic farm, also home to our sheep and bees.

We have preserved the land for threatened and protected species. Our small business, Centerville Place: Café + Market, is based on the ideals of my book, “The Civil Graces Project,” which invites everyone back to the table to find common ground. We know from experience that we can do great work when we get together.

The district

The 160th state legislative district includes parts of Delaware County, including Bethel, Chadds Ford, Concord and Thornbury parishes and the Chester Heights borough, along with Birmingham, Pennsbury, Thornbury and Westtown parishes in Chester County.

Originally published: 25 October 2024 at 13.58