Despite repeated requests from the League of Women Voters, three-term incumbent state Rep. Jennifer O’Mara (D-Springfield) is declining to participate in a debate with her GOP challenger Liz Piazza.
“We weren’t able to hold a candidate forum for the Pennsylvania House District 165 because Jennifer O’Mara did not have any available dates,” Joanna Nealon, voter service co-chair with League of Women Voters of Central Delaware County, told DVJournal.
Piazza told DVJournal that O’Mara’s refusal to face questions about taxes, crime, and education wasn’t an insult to her but rather to the Democrat’s constituents.
“I think it’s unfair to the voters of the 165 that they’re the ones that we’re here for,” she told DVJournal.
Asked why she was declining to participate in the League of Women voters forum, O’Mara also declined to speak to DVJournal.
Piazza viewed the forum as an opportunity for voters to learn more about her and her positions. “It’s always nice to interact with people live,” she observed.
With Democrats holding a slim one-seat majority in the Pennsylvania House, every race is particularly important this November, political observers say, putting control of the legislature in play. And with a GOP state Senate and a Democratic governor. control of the House is even more consequential.
The partisan divide in Harrisburg has led to delayed budgets and legislative gridlock. Piazza argued this is not how government should function. Instead, she stressed the need to put aside partisan bickering and come up with solutions. “I like to mediate things,” she admitted.
As a result, Piazza has focused her campaign on the opioids and fentanyl crises, issues where bipartisanship is possible. She said she’s seen the “horrific impact” that drugs can have on families. While not going into specifics, Piazza shared she was “raising grandchildren because of the opioid crisis.” She believes it’s important for the government to help grandparents on Social Security if they’re raising grandkids.
Piazza added the government should end reckless spending and figure out ways to support small businesses by investing in the local economy.
While Piazza expressed disappointment over the canceled forum, she declined to criticize her. Instead, she urged O’Mara to find time before Election Day.
“It would be nice to do this forum. I’m up for any time, any day,” she said.
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