Two candidates are seeking the seat representing the 183rd Legislative District.

Democrat Jason Ruff will face Republican incumbent Zach Mako in the Nov. 3 general election. The 183rd Legislative District includes parts of Lehigh and Northampton counties, including Slatington, Lehigh Township, Walnutport and Moore Township.

Jason Ruff

Democrat

Address: Slatington

Education: Graduated from Northampton High School in 1995; BS in business administration with an emphasis in entrepreneurship and holistic leadership from Kutztown University.

Qualifications: Local, small-business owner, currently serving as vice president of Slatington Borough Council. Active steering committee member for the Northern Lehigh Region’s Multi-Municipal Comprehensive Plan and the Lehigh County Blight Task Force. I work with Northern Lehigh Recreation Authority, D&L Trail and have extensive experience working with community leaders of all political affiliations on efforts to bring smart growth, revitalization and economic development to both Lehigh and Northampton counties. Over the course of my life in District 183 I’ve shared the values, concerns and struggles many face today, and have always fought hard to serve and improve my community.

Q: What would your top three priorities be if elected?

A: First, we’ll need cooperation to bring about a swift and safe reopening. Protecting essential workers, business owners, students, teachers, employees, and seniors, and tackling any mental health issues exacerbated by the pandemic is paramount. Second, people demand property tax reform and are tired of recycled promises followed by nothing. We need overdue action, and at least eliminate burdens for our seniors, until a broader solution is found. Third, we need to protect and create as many good paying, sustainable jobs to ensure financial security for workers and families, and so jobs are not lost overseas and to automation.

Q: If elected, what voting reforms would you support to ensure that all citizens who want to vote are able to securely, privately, and independently cast a ballot?

A: First, good voting reforms are built on fairly drawn voting districts, but opponents protected by gerrymandering, like our incumbent, prevent a floor vote for fear of losing control and re-election. I support Fair Districts because it’s simply common sense reform that puts citizens first. If we had fair districts it would lead to more options for voters, more representatives willing to work together and beneficial voting reforms such as secure, standardized and organized early voting procedures, ranked choice voting, which has exponential benefits for all citizens, as well as leveling the playing field for all parties and all elections.

Q: While there have been some positive legislative actions recently, partisan gridlock in Harrisburg has taken its toll, and many people feel that Pennsylvania’s state government is dysfunctional. What types of reforms, if any, would you support to make the legislative process in Harrisburg more effective?

A: Unfortunately, Pennsylvania has one of the largest, most corrupt, highest paid, yet least effective legislatures because we’re placing a higher value on party affiliation than on effectiveness, and putting citizens first. We can’t keep complaining about gridlock and re-electing the people who create it. There are plenty of anti-corruption reforms that could be passed, and any representative opposed to fair districts, who puts their own personal or party interests before those of constituents, or who votes for their own pay raise without raising the wages of hard working citizens struggling to make ends meet, should be fired on Election Day.

Q: Do you feel funding is important for recreation? If the budget is tight, what can be cut to allow for it?

A: A fully funded recreation organization is an important value-added asset. It makes people want to move to a specific community, raising property values for everyone and increasing the tax base. It also reduces crime and encourages neighborhood social interactions. I’ve worked closely for years with our Northern Lehigh Recreation Authority Board and Executive Director to grow programs and services, as well as develop strategic plans to improve our parks. If the budget gets tight, and cuts are inevitable, we should look to cut a little from all departments, rather than only cutting funding to an entire multi-municipal recreation cooperative.

Q: The territory you represent is genetically different from one end to the other. How will you balance small town needs with the needs of the densely populated areas?

A: No matter what community citizens belong to, leaders are elected to represent. Asking difficult questions, hearing difficult concerns, and cooperatively creating solutions that work, is a foundation for strong representation. We need to look past party affiliations though, to elect the experienced leaders that can balance those different needs. While citizens in the north are demanding property tax reform before they lose their homes, citizens in the south are demanding zoning laws that protect communities and provide for smart growth. A good representative will work hard to solve both, without committing to a job description too narrow to impact real change.

Zachary Mako

Republican

Address: Walnutport

Education: Bachelor’s in finance from Kutztown

Qualifications: 13 years of Army National Guard service, two terms as state representative.

Q: What would your top three priorities be if elected (re-elected)?

A: I think the most important issue that we must continue to deal with is the coronavirus pandemic. We must look for ways to protect those who are most at risk, mainly our senior citizens and those with pre-existing conditions. We also must work to get the commonwealth back to normal as soon and safely as possible. Families, workers and businesses are hurting and we must begin to get our economy back on track so that we can continue to tackle other issues facing Pennsylvanians like property tax reform, access to health care and public safety.

Q: If elected, what voting reforms would you support to ensure that all citizens who want to vote are able to securely, privately and independently cast a ballot?

A: With the addition of mail-in voting, Pennsylvania has made it easier for individuals to vote. As with any major change I think it is important to watch the process closely and ensure that things go smoothly before we consider additional changes. The most important part of free and fair elections is transparency, and it is important we make sure voters understand all of the new changes.

Q: While there have been some positive legislative actions recently, partisan gridlock in Harrisburg has taken its toll, and many people feel that Pennsylvania’s state government is dysfunctional. What types of reforms, if any, would you support to make the legislative process in Harrisburg more effective?

A: I believe that more dialogue is needed in Harrisburg. Good legislation becomes law when we are able to reach across the aisle and communicate and work with each other. While we all want to make Pennsylvania a better place, we don’t always agree on how to achieve that outcome. That is why my door is always open and I am always willing to listen to all sides of an issue.

Q: Do you feel funding is important for recreation? If the budget is tight, what can be cut to allow for it?

A: Recreation is an important part of our life. Especially with the recent lockdowns the use of our local and state parks has become a great way for people to responsibly get out and stay active. With the unprecedented budget situation caused by the coronavirus we are going to have to take a careful look at spending and look for temporary solutions until our economy can fully return to normal.

Q: The territory you represent is genetically different from one end to the other. How will you balance small-town needs with the needs of the densely populated areas?

A: I believe that in the last two terms I have done a good job of listening to the needs of all constituents and representing them in Harrisburg. At the end of the day, people from small towns to densely populated areas want the same things, good education for their children and prosperous family sustaining jobs. People want a safe environment to live, work and raise a family.