2020 Candidate: Wendi Thomas, State Rep., PA-178

NORTHAMPTON, PA — State Rep. Wendi Thomas, (R-Northampton), will appear on the ballot in November in her bid for re-election to the state house seat in Pennsylvania's 178th District.

Thomas defeated first-term Democratic incumbent Helen Tai in 2018. Tai had defeated Thomas just six months earlier in a special election to fill the seat of departing state representative Scott Petri.

In November, she faces Democrat Ann Marie Mitchell, a business attorney from Northampton.

The 178th district includes Northampton, New Hope, Upper Makefield, Wrightstown and Solebury.

Here is Patch's profile of Thomas, as filled out by the candidate:

Age (as of Election Day): 59
Position Sought: Pennsylvania State House of Representatives, District 178
Party Affiliation: Republican
Family: John, 58, husband of 33 years. John, 29, son. Justin,28,son. Stephanie,25,daughter
Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?: No
Education: Gettysburg College, Gettysburg, Pa. B.A., political science, 1983
Occupation: Over 30 year experience in health are industry. Most recent was 13 years building a small startup into a national firm that assists people who run into issues in the healthcare system as an independent advocate, as well as providing wellness and other benefits.
Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: Council Rock school board/director, 2008-2018; State Representative, 178th, 2019-present
Campaign website: votewendi.com

Why are you seeking elective office? I would like to continue serving my community and helping others as I have done as a state representative and as a school board member, as a volunteer and in my professional life. I believe my experiences – as a mom, a businesswoman and a local elected official who helped both improve our healthcare system and make our schools among the best and safest in Pennsylvania – will allow me to achieve positive results for everyone in our community.

The single most pressing issue facing our state/nation is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it. The most pressing issue facing Pennsylvania is the need to restart our economy safely and smartly after the effects of the coronavirus shutdown. Whether one agrees or disagrees with the actions (or extent of the actions) taken, the fact is that Pennsylvania now faces more than 1.5 million people unemployed and a multi-billion dollar budget deficit that continues to grow. Quite simply, struggling Pennsylvanians need to be able to start earning money again and keep as much of that money as possible to provide for themselves and their families, catch up on bills and more.

Addressing this situation will require leaders willing to fight for the type of economic and fiscal policies that will help employers regrow their business, rehire workers and contribute to our economy while making sure the state is controlling every penny of spending to ensure tax dollars are focused on priorities and used wisely. In just my first term, I have worked to be that type of leader, fighting for policies that help the private sector drive economic growth, as well as on-time budgets that controlled spending. We now need to redouble our efforts on these fronts to get Pennsylvania – and Pennsylvanians – back on their feet.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

As this race has moved forward, I have learned a little bit about my opponent. While she seems to be a nice person, her positions on policy and the groups she has aligned herself with are distressing. For example, she proudly touts the endorsement of radical groups who want to defund the police, implement policies that will destroy Pennsylvania jobs and even support new government programs that Time magazine says will cost taxpayers trillions of dollars in higher taxes. She is also being supported by a dark money special interest group that, in 2018, was found guilty of lying to voters. Now they are at it again, investing hundreds of thousands of dollars into my opponent’s race with more false attacks.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

My campaign platform is focused on: fiscal discipline, education, improving our healthcare system with a special focus on mental health, growing our economy, reforming government and ensuring fairness for our communities and people.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

As a freshman legislator, I have already had a bill signed into law that protects our senior’s Pace/Pacenet program to provide prescription coverage assistance to low income seniors. Ushering any bill through the legislative process proves an ability to put aside partisanship and bring people together for a common goal. Additionally, I have taken on the fight over EZPass fairness on the Scudder Falls Bridge. I am in process of bringing the PA EZPass administrator and the bridge commission together to resolve this unfairness. Prior to becoming a state representative, I was able to bring together Republicans and Democrats as a school board member to make Council Rock’s schools among the best and safest in the state and among the lowest taxed in Bucks County.

The best advice ever shared with me was …

If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I take the word "representative" seriously. That is why I meet with everyone who asks, listen to all sides, and work on issues with my whole heart.