Republican Sen. Stefano faces Democratic challenger Cecil in 32nd state Senate race
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is one in a series of stories featuring key races in the upcoming Nov. 3 election.
Three-term incumbent Republican state Pat Stefano is facing a challenge in the Nov. 3 general election from Democratic candidate Jacob Cecil.
Stefano of Bullskin Township easily defeated Republican challenger Harry Young Cochran in the GOP primary this May, while Cecil of Windber in Somerset County secured enough write-in votes in the primary to win the Democratic nomination.
The 32nd State Senate District includes all of Fayette, Somerset and Bedford counties, and the Scottdale area of Westmoreland County.
We asked two questions to each of the candidates and asked them to respond with written answers.
Question 1: What are the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvania, and how would you address them?
Question 2: What is your position on the development of data centers, and what role should the state play in regulating them?
Their responses, which we asked to keep under 200 words, are below.
Name: Pat Stefano
Age: 60
Residence: Bullskin Township
Occupation: State Senator
Party: Republican
Question 1: One of the most pressing issues facing Pennsylvanians is the rising cost of electricity and other utilities. These costs put a strain on families, seniors, and small businesses, and we need to do more to protect ratepayers.
As chairman of the Senate Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee, I work directly with the Public Utility Commission and utility providers to promote accountability, control costs, and ensure consumers are treated fairly. We must continue looking for ways to improve efficiency and hold utilities accountable for the costs they pass on to customers.
My colleagues and I have also fought against the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), which threatened to increase energy costs. Pennsylvania must encourage investment in reliable, affordable electricity generation so that supply can keep pace with demand and help put downward pressure on prices.
Finally, we should encourage private investment in modernizing our aging utility infrastructure while ensuring that the costs are managed responsibly and not unnecessarily shifted onto ratepayers.
Pennsylvanians need reliable energy they can afford. My focus is on protecting consumers, encouraging investment, and pursuing practical solutions that lower costs for families and businesses
Question 2: I understand the concerns many Pennsylvanians have about data center development, particularly the potential impact on electricity costs, water resources, the environment, and the character of their communities. While these projects may bring investment and jobs, those benefits should never come at the expense of local residents.
I believe decisions about where data centers belong should be driven by local communities. The people who live in the 32nd Senatorial District understand their communities best, and a one-size-fits-all approach from Harrisburg will not work. Residents deserve transparency and a meaningful voice in decisions that affect their homes and neighborhoods.
The state also has a responsibility to protect ratepayers, enforce environmental standards, and ensure data center developers are held accountable for the costs and impacts of their projects. Pennsylvania should welcome responsible investment, but not at any cost. Protecting our communities, our environment, and the people who already call this district home must remain the priority.
Name: Jacob Cecil
Age: 27
Residence: Windber
Occupation: Warehouse worker
Party: Democrat
Question 1: The number one issue facing working class Pennsylvanians today is the cost of living crisis. While there are many different causes, we also have an incredibly common sense solution to help out our communities. Pennsylvania has the fourth most regressive tax rate of any state or commonwealth. That means the working class pays far more than their fair share, while those with the most are held to a lower standard.
In the last few years alone, the average cost of electricity in PA is up over 20%. For the working class, that’s not just numbers on a piece of paper. It’s families having to sit down and have the difficult discussion of what they are going to go without.
For far too long, the working class has been overtaxed in Pennsylvania, and their tax dollars don’t return to help those who need it in their communities. It’s time that instead of disproportionately overtaxing the working class, we do common sense tax reforms to make sure everybody pays their fair share. This will keep more money in the pockets of those that do the work, and will alleviate some of the financial stresses created by the cost of living crisis.
Question 2: Data centers have not helped the working class in Pennsylvania. Data centers have drastically increased the cost of every family’s electricity bills just to subsidize the profits of massive businesses. They cause massive amounts of pollution, light pollution and noise pollution being just two examples. For some ludicrous reason, they have even been given an uncapped sales tax exemption on their equipment. If they want to rise the cost of living of every Pennsylvanian, pollute, and not even pay tax, why would we want them here?
At an absolute minimum, Pennsylvania needs to pass updated ordinances for hyperscale data centers. It should be expected of any business that wants to use Pennsylvania’s beautiful lands, to do the bare minimum to keep our lands in as good of condition as they are before they arrive. Stringent water quality tests, noise restrictions, and a quick and affordable path for local residents to submit complaints, if the locals or the environment are being devastated by greedy data centers.
Pennsylvania’s power grid is outdated, and the working class is paying more than ever just to keep their own lights on. Is now really the time for hyperscale data centers in PA?