Election 2024: Democrat Anna Payne For State Representative

Candidates running in the Nov. 5 general election are providing background about themselves and their positions on the issues to voters in these profiles, which will run in Patch individually for each candidate.

LANGHORNE, PA —Democrat Anna Payne is running for election for state representative in the 142nd Legislative District against Republican incumbent Joe Hogan in the Nov. 5 general election.

Biographical Information

Name: Anna Payne

Age: 37

Town of Residence: Langhorne Borough

Position Sought: PA State Representative, 142nd Legislative District

Are you an incumbent? No

What towns does your position cover? Middletown Township, Lower Southampton Township, Northampton Township (9,10, and 14), Penndel Borough, Langhorne Borough, and Langhorne Manor.

Party affiliation: Democrat

Family: My Bernedoodle Mr. Roman Reigns Payne

Education: Neshaminy School District, Bucks County Community College

Occupation: Executive Assistant to Bucks County Commissioner Diane Marseglia, Middletown Township Supervisor.

Candidate Questions

1. How can you curb crime seeping into Lower Bucks County's suburbs?

I have a proven record as a Middletown Township Supervisor of fully funding our local law enforcement and increasing funding for our fire emergency services because I understand how important it is to keep our communities safe. In Harrisburg, I will fight to increase funding for our district's local law enforcement by bringing more grant funding to the district and I will also continue to promote the co-responder program that partners social workers within local law enforcement, giving our police the ability to focus on stopping crime instead of handling mental health emergencies. As State Representative, I will always be committed to keeping our neighborhoods safe by guaranteeing our local police and fire services have the funding and resources they need to protect our district.

2. How can you work to get more money for your district in terms of school funding and grants?

As a State Representative, I will always listen to the needs of our students, parents, and teachers.
My dedication to putting my district's needs first is why the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers
endorsed me. On Day One, I am ready to stand with public education to ensure state funding is
used to utilize our public schools, not wasted on charter schools that siphon away benefits from
kids in our district. As Middletown Township Supervisor, I have a bipartisan record, which gives
me an understanding of how to collaborate with local, state, and federal officials on both sides of
the aisle to meet the needs of our community including increasing our current public school
funding so that every child in my district has access to the education they deserve.

3. Where can improvements still be made to reduce traffic that continues to clog key roads in your district?

When I am out knocking on doors and speaking with the community, there is a constant complaint that our roads are not maintained well enough, there is too much traffic, and that our current state officials are not doing enough. Many of these issues I have experienced myself. The state needs to make sure it’s funding road projects to improve the flow of traffic on these highly utilized roads like Woodbourne Road and Bridgetown Pike, to name a few. Construction has just begun on these two roads but we need to ensure that these projects are being completed promptly because these issues need correcting now because it affects people’s everyday lives. There are still plenty of roads in the district that need immediate attention and as State Representative I am ready to be a workhorse for this district and advocate with the Department of Labor to address these issues head-on.

4. What do you bring to the district as a change agent in helping your constituents have a better life after years of inflation and rising costs for families?

Along with the people of this district, I have felt the pressure from rising costs. I am running for this seat because I am ready to fight for the issues that matter most for my community including finding solutions to alleviate the economic burden placed on so many families, young people, and seniors in our district. Through my experience as a healthcare advocate, I know what it takes to raise funds to find solutions and as a township supervisor, I know what it takes to address issues by working across the aisle to help our small businesses, lower costs for our seniors and families, and lessen the overall burden on our taxpayers. And that is the exact mindset I will take to Harrisburg as State Representative of Pennsylvania’s 142 District.