Q&A with candidates for Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District
Rep. John Joyce, a Republican, and Democrat Todd Rowley are facing off in the race for Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District.
Joyce, a dermatologist from Blair County, is seeking re-election to his second term in the U.S. House of Representatives.
A resident of Westmoreland County, Rowley is running for Congress following a long career in law enforcement.
The district includes all of Adams, Franklin, Fulton, Bedford, Somerset, Blair and Huntingdon counties, and parts of Westmoreland and Cumberland counties.
We provided both candidates with the same list of questions. See their responses below.
More:See more responses from these candidates in our Voter's Guide
Todd Rowley
Age: 56
Background:
1986, BA Political Science, Washington College, Chestertown, MD
Nearly a 30-year career as an EMS and law enforcement officer – as a Police Officer, a State Trooper/Flight Paramedic and over 24 years as an FBI Supervisory Special Agent within the FBI’s Counterintelligence and Counterterrorism Divisions
Volunteer and activist with Westmoreland County Food Bank and Somerset County Meals On Wheels to end hunger and food insecurity in our communities
I grew up on a family farm in Meyersdale, Somerset County; my younger sister and I were raised by a single mother in a union family. I had the opportunity to attend college through a scholarship and student loan; aspired to be a teacher and coach; however, chose a career in public service as an EMS and law enforcement officer; after retiring from a nearly 30-year law enforcement career, I served as a Park Ranger with the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) and have been a substitute teacher in the school districts of Somerset and Westmoreland counties for the past five years; my family and I reside in Donegal Township, Westmoreland County.
Town of residence: Donegal Township, Westmoreland County
Why are you the right candidate for the PA-13 US House seat?
In just a matter of weeks, if not already done so having voted by mail, we will participate in the most important election in our lifetime. During my life of public service to our country and my fellow Americans, the oath I swore was to support and defend our Constitution and to protect the American people from enemies both foreign and domestic, to fight for justice and equality for every American. That oath and allegiance was never to any political party, certainly not to any individual person or political leader, or for personal self-interest. My commitment to the hardworking families of PA-13 is to have courage to speak truth to power and never use rhetoric of fear, untruths and disinformation, or hate to divide us as Americans. This is a moment in our lives where we have an opportunity – as Americans – to rise to this challenge and vote for positive change and the preservation of our democracy. I am a change candidate – I will fight for you and your family, to make your lives better - and never be beholden to corporate donors, lobbyists and special interests like my incumbent opponent has and continues to be. I will lead by reaching across the aisle – finding common ground and compromise for the common good. Thank you for this tremendous opportunity and responsibility you have placed upon me in consideration to becoming your representative in Congress, your voice in Washington you and your family deserve.
Name two issues that are most important to you and discuss what you want to do about them.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an unprecedented and devastating public health and economic crisis in our country. Until we, as a unified country, come to understand the individual responsibility we each have to follow health and safety guidelines to lower the infection and fatality rates, our country and personal lives will remain disrupted. My first priority will be to support additional relief funding as outlined in the HEROES Act to supplement the previously implemented bipartisan CARES Act to ensure the most vulnerable Americans don't slip further into poverty and we prevent our overall economy from further contraction. My second priority would be to strengthen and improve health care for all Americans, starting with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) to protect coverage for pre-existing health conditions and lowering the cost of prescription medications. These legislative priorities will require a level of bipartisan support in which I will work to obtain.
Do you think America is on the right path forward? If yes, why; or, how do you think we can turn things around?
Our country is resilient and we have proven ourselves as such through many challenges in our history. We face many critically important issues – the necessity to put in place a comprehensive federal response plan to lower the infection and fatality rates of this national public health crisis - by doing so, beginning to rebuild our economy; coming to terms with our country’s racial and social injustices; and a recognition of science-based environmental and climate change realities impacting the health and well-being of humankind and our planet that must be addressed. Only with strong, competent leadership based upon honesty, truthfulness, humility and empathy can we begin to take steps towards resolving these issues. This can only be done with leaders and representatives who are not just willing, but have the desire to find common ground and compromise for the common good to move our country forward, together. It does start with leadership. Leadership that we can be proud of and respect. Leaders and representatives who demonstrate through their own personal behavior and actions the core values we share - civility, decency, integrity, character, empathy, tolerance, respect for each other and the rule of law. We can restore our national sense of unity and these shared values, but it’s up to each of us to fight for and believe in each other. With these values at my core, I will fight for all citizens of PA-13.
Yes or no - Has COVID-19 been handled well by national authorities? Moving forward, what role should the pandemic play in our everyday lives?
No. I believe facts, science and truth matter. The fact is after nine months of public health and economic suffering, our country is still struggling to contain a deadly virus where over 7 million Americans have been infected and over 200,000 Americans have died. This is unacceptable, and as Americans we should be appalled. I support the HEROES Act stimulus package which would supplement the bipartisan CARES Act, expanding the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses, extending relief programs to help our essential workers, extend moratorium on certain evictions and foreclosures for families struggling to pay rent and mortgages, extend veterans benefits, protect pension and retirement plans, and student loan relief. Until we have national leadership with a comprehensive plan to properly manage this crisis to lower infection and fatality rates, the American people will continue to suffer and our economy will continue to struggle. We can and must do better.
Discuss your opinion on systemic racism.
As great as our country is and will continue to be, we must also confront the realities that exist regarding racial and social injustice, along with the growing problem of economic inequality. To acknowledge that systemic racism, or structural or institutional racism does indeed exist is the first step for our society to begin the positive changes needed to eliminate this form of racism. This is no small task to take on. The root aspects of systemic racism are deeply embedded in the subconscious of our society and woven into the fabric of our culture. From systemic racism targeting African Americans and people of color is born poverty, hunger and food insecurity, homelessness and housing insecurity, lack of educational and job opportunities leading to economic and wealth inequality. Our expectations and how policing is conducted in our communities must be addressed as a vital aspect in beginning to restore trust between the communities of color and law enforcement to end systemic racism. We have to stop making racism a political or partisan issue, it is an American issue we must confront collectively and without making it a divisive issue – every American must take ownership and be against any and all forms of racism. At the end of the day, we make progress through education and tolerance, opportunities and fairness. Education of the young, old and everyone in between.
Is there anything else you want voters to know?
It is an honor and privilege to be a candidate for Congress to represent the hardworking families in Franklin County and communities across PA-13. My first memories are those growing up on a family farm in Meyersdale where I was taught those values we all share as a community. Values of decency, honesty, hard work, respect for each other, and keeping our faith and love of country a central part of our lives. I chose a career in public service as a law enforcement officer and for nearly 30 years, I proudly served and protected our country and the American people. My commitment to all citizens of PA-13 will be to always place the interests of our country and the American people above political party, any individual political leader, or personal self-interest. I believe we can find our way back as a country and as Americans to a national sense of unity and our shared values. I respect and believe in my fellow citizens here in Franklin County and PA-13. I am humbly asking for your support and to believe in me.
John Joyce
Age: 63
Background:
Education: Graduated with honors with a B.S. in biology from Penn State University, earned M.D. at Temple University, completed a 3-year internal medicine residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital followed by a residency in dermatology at Johns Hopkins finishing as chief resident.
Career: Board certified internist and dermatologist; practiced medicine and cared for patients in PA for more than 25 years.
Volunteerism: Served on the Advisory Board of the Penn State Altoona Campus, the American Cancer Society, The United Way, the Goodman Trust, as a mentor for the Eberly College of Science at Penn State, and as a volunteer at the St. Vincent DePaul Soup Kitchen.
Town of residence: Hollidaysburg, Blair County
Why are you the right candidate for the PA-13 US House seat?
In this election, all of us are facing a stark choice between freedom and socialism – and I will always choose freedom. As Democrats threaten unprecedented attacks on our way of life, I will defend the Constitution and your rights.
As Pennsylvania and our nation recovers from the COVID-19 crisis, I’m committed to supporting our workforce, returning our supply chains to the United States, and creating jobs for American workers. I also am fighting for our farmers and working every day to ensure that these hardworking Pennsylvanians can compete in the global market in the 21st century – from securing fairer trade deals to investing in reliable broadband in rural communities. And, I’m proud to support our law enforcement community as they serve and protect us.
It is my privilege to serve as your voice in Congress, and I ask for your vote so that I can keep fighting for you and your family.
Name two issues that are most important to you and discuss what you want to do about them.
As a doctor who spent more than 25 years caring for patients in our community, I ran for Congress to improve Pennsylvanians’ access to quality and affordable health care. As your Congressman, I have been fighting to lower prescription drug prices, defend Medicare, protect Americans with pre-existing conditions, expand access to care in rural communities, and support lifesaving innovation.
Additionally, I am committed to protecting Pennsylvanians from threats at home and abroad. In Congress, I am working to rebuild our military, support servicemembers and their families, and ensure that Americans are equipped to lead in the 21st century. We also must restore law and order in American cities. Every day, our police officers show up to serve and protect our community. As law enforcement officers face unprecedented opposition from radical leftists, I will oppose any legislation to defund the police – and I will always back the blue.
Do you think America is on the right path forward? If yes, why; or, how do you think we can turn things around?
Despite the challenges that we are facing, America is the land of opportunity and promise.
In Congress, I have been working to rebuild our military, support our veterans, expand Americans’ access to quality and affordable health care, and defend Americans at home and abroad.
As radicals threatened unprecedented attacks on Americans’ values and our Constitutional rights, I will always stand up for the truth. America is worth the fight, and we must restore our way of life, rebuild our economy, and renew the American dream for generations to come.
Yes or no - Has COVID-19 been handled well by national authorities? Moving forward, what role should the pandemic play in our everyday lives?
The coronavirus crisis created unprecedented challenges for American families, workers, schools, health care teams, and small businesses. Every day, I am fighting to get Pennsylvanians safely back to work, children safely back into the classroom, and our economy back on the right track.
Through the CARES Act, Congress provided targeted relief to Americans. In addition to direct assistance for American families, the Paycheck Protection Program helped more than 170,000 small businesses in Pennsylvania weather this storm – saving millions of jobs and supporting hardworking families. Livelihoods are on the line. We will rebuild our economy and renew the American dream for generations to come.
I’m also proud to serve on the China Task Force and lead our strategy to combat the Chinese Communist Party and ensure that America never allows another pandemic to reach our shores. By moving our supply chains back to America, we can strengthen our national security and create American jobs for American workers. Now more than ever, it is important that we defend our values, counter the Chinese government’s growing threats, and secure America’s leadership for the 21st century. This is a team effort, and I ask for your support as I fight for our values.
Discuss your opinion on systemic racism.
Racism is inherently evil and has no place in Pennsylvania or our nation.
More than 150 years ago, President Abraham Lincoln affirmed the truth that all men are created equal. Today, the convictions of the Gettysburg Address continue to propel Americans’ pursuit of justice, equality, and freedom. As a nation, we are united by our common identity as Americans and our hard-won Constitutional rights, including the First Amendment right to free speech. We must work together to renew the American dream for generations to come.
Is there anything else you want voters to know?
Here’s the take-home message and six things every voter should know –
1. I am pro-life.
2. I am pro-Second Amendment.
3. I am pro-school choice.
4. I will always support our military and our veterans.
5. I will bring jobs home to Pennsylvania.
6. I will always defend your Medicare and Social Security.
The general election is Nov. 3, and Franklin County's 73 polling places will be open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Citizens may also vote by absentee or mail-in ballot; learn more at votespa.com.