Chris Pielli Runs For State House Term D-156

WEST CHESTER, PA —Chris Pielli, a Democrat who is the Chester County recorder of deeds, is running for a two-year term to represent four municipalities in Chester County.

Under a new Pennsylvania redistricting map that is based on the 2020 census , the district covers the borough of West Chester, and East Bradford, East Goshen West Goshen townships.

The district covers 37 miles and has a population of 66,169.

Pielli resides in West Goshen Township with his wife. They have two children.

He is running against Heidi VanderWaal, a Republican, an independent business owner, mother and grandmother.

Pielli was elected Recorder of Deeds in November 2019.

He is a graduate of East Senior High School; Temple University, bachelor of science in political science, and Temple University Beasley School of Law, Juris Doctorate.

Pielli, a U.S. Army veteran, worked and a correctional officer and counselor.

He is an attorney licensed in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He is also a court-appointed lawyer for guardianship matters.

Pielli worked as a program director for the Chester County Homeless Veterans & At-Risk Youth.
In addition, Pielli was also a volunteer teacher and West Goshen Township supervisor.

He enjoys spending time with family and friends, and traveling. He is a runner and an overall sports fan.

More information about Pielli is available here.

Here are Pielli’s answers to two questions about current issues in state government.

What is your position regarding Pennsylvania gun laws in light of the May 24 fatal shootings of 19 children and two adults in Texas? Do you favor restricting or banning assault weapons?

"I’m a gun owner and an Army veteran who supports the 2nd Amendment but recognizes the commonsense need to protect our constituents from gun violence.

“I favor comprehensive background checks, waiting periods, gunlock/home safety initiatives, and classifying and restricting assault weapons only to those properly licensed and trained.

“We demand people become trained and licensed to drive a truck or fly a plane. The least we can do with deadly assault weapons is to restrict its ownership to those who are qualified to possess it and who go through continual training and comprehensive background checks.

“Gun violence in Pennsylvania is a public health crisis. The sensible approach to this is to promote less guns on the street, not more. That is why I am against the Republican proposed legislation SB 565 making it legal for anyone, without a license, in the state, to openly carry firearms of any kind in public, and lowering the age at which teens can legally carry guns.

"This makes no sense when trying to mitigate gun violence in our community and makes it more challenging for our local police to do their job.

“This is West Chester, not the wild west.”

What is your position on Pennsylvania’s abortion laws following the Supreme Court ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade, returning the issue to the states?

“As the only pro-choice candidate running in the 156th, I will vigorously defend access to affordable health care to include women's choice and reproductive rights.

“I will vehemently oppose anti-abortion policy measures, such as PA Senate Bill 106 which aims to amend the state constitution and ultimately ban abortion in Pennsylvania.

“Although my opponent won’t answer this question, you deserve to know where your representatives stand whether you agree with them or not.

“With that in mind I will state it unequivocally, A vote for me = A vote for women's rights and women’s choice.”