Ban Capitol Rioters From Running For Office In PA, Lawmaker Says

HARRISBURG, PA — A resolution will soon be introduced in Pennsylvania that would prevent anyone who participated in riots at the U.S. Capitol or who engaged in similar "insurrectionist" activities from running for state office.

The resolution comes as the evolving leadership landscape of the Republican Party is increasingly represented by those with connections to the riots on Jan. 6.

"There is much talk about election integrity in Pennsylvania on the voter side of the equation." State Sen. Art Haywood (D-Montgomery and Philadelphia) wrote in a co-sponsorship memorandum. "But what has been lacking in this discussion and debate is the necessity of excluding constitutionally and legally ineligible candidates from the ballot. "

Some of Pennsylvania most notable Republicans today participated in some form at the Capitol riots on Jan. 6. GOP gubernatorial candidate and State Sen. Doug Mastriano marched in the event. So too did primary U.S. Senate candidate and former Republican candidate for Congress in Montgomery County, Kathy Barnette.

They're not alone. A Politico analysis in January found that at least 57 people involved in the events at the Capitol are running for office in 2022. Some ran or are running for state office, while others, like Bucks County's Dawn Bancroft, have found success at the municipal level.

Haywood said that insurrectionists have broken an oath to support the Constitution or "given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof."

"For the sake of public interest and to maintain the integrity and sanctity of our democratic process it is essential to enforce the constitutional and legal mechanisms to bar any individual who has taken an oath to uphold the Constitution and who subsequently engages in insurrection from holding any present or future public office," Haywood added.

Haywood said this resolution would not change the nature of the Pennsylvania Constitution. Rather, it would emphasize the duties of the Pennsylvania Secretary of State to enforce the existing law.

It remains unclear what level of support the measure will have in the General Assembly, though passage in a Republican-dominated Senate and House would seem unlikely.