Bradford local Ronald McGonigle is seeking the Democratic nomination for the 67th legislative district in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, a seat currently held by Rep. Martin Causer, R-Turtlepoint.
He was born in Buffalo, N.Y., and graduated from Wellsville (N.Y.) Central School in 2003. He moved to Bradford in 2007 and currently works at Futures Rehabilitation Center as a life skills instructor.
McGonigle said he is running because he believes Pennsylvania representatives have “lost touch with their constituency” and that they have forgotten the issues being faced in the area.
“As the poor get poorer in this area, they seem to be looking cleaner and cleaner,” he said.
McGonigle explained that one of the big issues that he plans on tackling is the state minimum wage. He said if he is elected he will fight to raise the minimum wage throughout the state.
While he is running as a Democrat, McGonigle said he does not believe in raising taxes on the individual.
“My entire mission is to get more money into the hands of the people,” he said. “And raising taxes would do the opposite of that.”
McGonigle said he will also fight to see community colleges and trade schools in the local area in the near future, as he believes that will grow the economy and create more jobs.
When asked how he would fund his ideas without taxation, McGonigle said he would push for a corporate tax increase on non-local companies such as Walmart in an effort to give local businesses a “fighting chance.”
He also said he would fight to receive any kind of federal grants to improve local infrastructure.
When asked about recent events with school shootings and how he would try to solve the issue, McGonigle firmly stood by the Second Amendment and the right to bear arms.
“We can secure our schools without stepping on our own rights,” he said. “But we can’t act as if this isn’t a problem. We need to secure our schools, and I am researching every way possible to make that happen.”
In preparation for his campaign run, McGonigle has been seeking signatures from potential voters in McKean, Potter and Elk Counties to help get him on the ballot. While he hasn’t announced any specific dates, he said he is also planning to meet at town hall with anyone who agrees or disagrees with his positions.
“I’m running as a Democrat, but I’m not a party person. I want to listen to everyone’s opinion and find a way to resolve issues without an agenda,” he said. “I’m here running as a Pennsylvanian and nothing else.”
For more information on McGonigle’s campaign, visit ron4pa.wixsite.com/website.
