Election 2022: Democrat Ilya Breyman For State Representative

Candidates running in the Nov. 8 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.

HOLLAND, PA —Ilya Breyman is running as a Democrat for state representative in the 178th Legislative District against Republican Kristin Marcell in the Nov. 8 general election.

Name: Ilya Breyman
Age: 37
Town of residence: Holland
Position sought: State Representative, HD 178
Are you an incumbent?: No
What Towns Does Your District Cover?: Upper Southampton Township, most of Northampton Township, Wrightstown Township, and Warwick Township
Party affiliation: Democrat
Family: Wife and two kids
Education: Georgetown University School of Foreign Service (Bachelor's and Master's), University of Pennsylvania (Master's)
Occupation: Entrepreneur

What are the top issues currently facing your district and how do you plan to address them?

The top issue facing my district is the deep sense of polarization that is increasingly seeping into our ability to work toward solutions that benefit us all. Career politicians at every level are taking advantage of the divisive partisan environment and choose to undermine solutions for our working families and small businesses – solutions like reforming our antiquated property tax system, securing stable investments in our schools and law enforcement and supporting small businesses and innovators through cutting red tape and investing in Pennsylvania human capital. One of the most effective ways that lawmakers could help bring more of these solutions to final passage, would be to change the rules of the Legislature. Too many initiatives with bipartisan support are killed by party insiders and corporate lobbyists before they ever have a chance to be really debated.

Identify specific goals or ideas you have to enhance life in your district:

One of my biggest priorities is to make sure that the funds provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act are deployed efficiently with input from local communities. Our scenic towns and villages need the influx of federal money, which, if managed effectively, could provide us with the opportunity to make several significant safety reconfigurations —and—clear the maintenance backlogs.

As a State Rep, I will work with the municipalities in my district to facilitate grant applications for infrastructure improvement and multimodal transportation projects. I will also work with my colleagues in Harrisburg to incentivize strategic planning by working to modernize the Municipal Planning Code, making it work better for communities and citizens across Pennsylvania.

What in your experience or background prepares you for election to office?
I am not a career politician and don’t intend to become one. My background as an educator, an entrepreneur, a parent, gives me real life experience in solving the most pressing issues in our communities. I know when to reject conventional wisdom to make progress on tough issues and find solutions that work for everyone without having to compromise on the things that really matter.