Richard Womack: Delaware County Council Candidate

DELAWARE COUNTY, PA — The primary election is coming up, and voters in Delaware County should get to know who is on the ballot as they prepare to cast their votes on May 20.

Below is a profile of Delaware County Council candidate Richard Womack:

Name: Richard Womack
Age: 63
Gender: Male
Location/Town: Darby Township
Position Sought: County Council
Party: Democratic
Campaign website/social media: http://www.richardwomackfordelco.com/

How would you go about addressing any county funding issues related to the Trump Administration's efforts to cut government spending?

As your current County Council Vice Chair this is a concern I think about on a daily basis. I would first make sure that our state government is ready and able to help with any shortfalls and I currently work with our state-level representatives to make sure we are prepared. Second, I will continue to figure out ways to make Delaware County more reliant on itself. We've already seen fantastic job growth in the first four years of my term. I will continue to vote for policies that bring in new, good paying jobs, make sure we keep the jobs we have here, and continue to support education outcomes for students so that they can find jobs right here in Delaware County.

What do you think could, and should, be done to ensure Delaware County residents have their healthcare needs met amid the ongoing issues with Crozer Health?

The Crozer crisis is sad for our community and a difficult situation for the county. On Council, we did everything we could do to try to keep Crozer open -- we paid our bills on time, we brought folks to the table to discuss options, and we tried to work to find someone who could help cover the shortfall. However, at the end of the day, the private company that owned Crozer had one goal in mind, putting profits over people. They took what they could to pad their bottom line at the expense of our residents. Going forward, I'm going to press on our health department to figure out ways to help our residents get the care they need, I've already spoken with folks in Harrisburg about coming up with ways to get our health care system back on track, and we're working with other hospitals in the area to discuss taking in Delaware County residents and potentially buying the hospital or opening a new one to serve our community. I will use all available resources at the county level to solve this problem.

How will you handle any immigration enforcement actions taken in Delaware County?

Currently in Delaware County we have laws on the books that legislate the handling of immigrants in our community. My overall goal always has been and will continue to be putting the safety and security of our residents at the forefront. That means that we will continue to enforce the laws around holding violent criminals for 48 hours and alerting immigration agents to their arrest. However, Delaware County residents understand that there are laws and rules that need to be followed, including our constitutional right to due process for all. I will make sure our county treats every resident fairly and without discrimination.

What is the most pressing issue residents of Delaware County face now, and how do you plan to tackle it?

Along with the Crozer closure, mental health and the economy are pressing issues for our community. First, I want to work to bring a mental health facility into the county and I'm working with health care providers to understand if there is a way to achieve that goal. Second, I know how much folks are struggling in this economy given the Trump administration's tariffs and general economic uncertainty. I've started a budget task force that looks at every dollar the county spends and has been coming up with ideas to save our residents money while still providing world class services. I intend to continue to do that in my second term.

What do you love about Delaware County?

As a lifelong Delaware County resident I know that our county is nothing without the communities, neighborhoods, and residents. Our diversity is world class, our schools and economic opportunities are some of the best in the country, and our neighbors are thoughtful and kind. I love living in Delaware County and I couldn't think of anywhere else I'd like to be.