Mark Stevens Withdraws from Race for 156th State House Seat

Mark Stevens Withdraws from Race for 156th State House Seat
Rep. Barbara McIlvaine Smith to seek Democratic nomination to replace him

WEST CHESTER, Pa. – Mark Stevens today announced he has decided to
withdraw from the race for the 156th District State House seat due to a
severe back injury. In his place, Rep. Barbara McIlvaine Smith has agreed
to seek the Democratic nomination for re-election to a third term in the
state House of Representatives.

Stevens said the decision to end his candidacy was a difficult one, but
for the past few weeks a ruptured disk in his back has left him barely
able
to walk, and he may need major surgery as early as August. “I am as
committed as ever to seeking public office and serving the people of
Chester County, but my back injury has made it impossible for me to do all
that is required to win this race,” Stevens said. “I couldn’t be happier
to
see Barb re-enter this race, and she has my full support. The strength of
her convictions and her record of challenging the status quo should leave
no doubt that she will continue to fight for what she’s always fought for
–
a more transparent government, a stronger economy, and the protection of
our environment.”

McIlvaine Smith applauded Stevens for his hard work on the campaign so
far, saying she is confident he would have carried on her record of
reform.

“I was proud to support Mark, but when I heard he was experiencing these
health issues and thinking about ending his campaign, I reconsidered my
decision not to run,” McIlvaine Smith said. “I’m seeking the Democratic
nomination to re-enter this race because I am prepared to continue
fighting
to improve Harrisburg. I have been an independent voice in the House,
working hard to reform how government operates, strengthen our economy,
and
protect our environment. I am committed and determined to continuing this
important work.”

Stevens officially withdrew from the race this morning by filing the
required paperwork with the Department of State. McIlvaine Smith intends
to
seek the official nomination of the Chester County Democratic Committee
and
the Pennsylvania Democratic Party in the coming days

Stevens Campaign Pleased to Announce New Endorsements

WEST CHESTER- The Mark Stevens for PA House campaign is pleased to announce that it has received three new endorsements:

CeaseFirePA, a leading Pennsylvania gun violence prevention organization;

APSCUF (Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties), a professional association for the advancement of public higher education throughout Pennsylvania;

Clean Water Action, a national organization advocating for the empowerment of citizens and communities through the protection of America’s waters.

Look for more endorsements to come soon!

Mark Endorsed by Barb McIlvaine Smith

WEST CHESTER — This past fall, State Representative Barbara McIlvaine Smith announced she would not seek re-election in 2010, making Pennsylvania’s 156th House District an “open” seat.  Representative McIlvaine Smith has chosen to support West Chester resident and Democrat Mark Stevens in the May 18th Democratic Primary.

“Mark is the candidate with experience, integrity, and vision to tackle the pressing problems of reform in Harrisburg,” Representative McIlvaine Smith said. “We need a legislator willing to fight for jobs, the environment, and reform.”

Mark Stevens thanked McIlvaine Smith for her endorsement. “Representative McIlvaine Smith worked hard for reform in Harrisburg,” Stevens said, “Now is the time for us to unite, to put our best foot forward, and to put Pennsylvania on the right track.”

Jobs and the Economy

As your State Representative, task number one is to help the economy by creating more and better jobs. We need to put in place incentives to increase job creation and capital investment. However, in the new economy we also need to focus on new, environmentally friendly, “green collar” jobs. These jobs will help us protect, preserve, and enhance Open Space and strengthen our energy security, while allowing for Smart Growth that will grow our economy while protecting our historical and natural beauty. Green Jobs promote conservation, energy efficiency, and renewable energy – and can’t be outsourced. Green Jobs represent the future our economy here in greater West Chester, across the Commonwealth and Country and around the World.

Quality, Affordable Health Care

Building off my experience as the Executive Director of the not-for-profit Pennsylvania eHealth Initiative, as your State Representative I will work to ensure high quality, affordable and accessible healthcare for all residents of Pennsylvania. We need to lower healthcare costs while raising accessibility and quality. To help accomplish this we need to create incentives to ensure that more physicians stay and practice in Pennsylvania, and we need to foster the broader adoption of health information technology to reduce medical errors and costs while raising the quality of care.

Property Taxes and Government Reform

As your State Representative, I will eliminate wasteful spending to reduce property taxes. I will work against entrenched interests to reform Government at all levels in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania needs campaign finance reform, especially in the wake of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling, as well as lobbying reform to lessen the impact of special interests.

In addition, we need to streamline government administration, while looking at new ways to broaden and balance revenue raising options like expanding local PILOT programs. We also need to actively work with Pennsylvania’s Congressional delegation to bring home more federal support, such as stimulus funding to support shovel-ready public transportation projects.

I support the establishment of appointed judges in Pennsylvania, as well as Senator Andy Dinniman’s proposal to mandate non-partisan School Board elections. We need to keep politics out of our courtrooms and out of our classrooms. We need to ensure the best education for our children, who are our future.

I think the best way to accomplish all of these tasks and to change the corrupting culture in Harrisburg is for “We the People” to convene a Constitutional Convention in the State Capitol to help bring our government into 21st century.  Let’s together preserve the best of our Commonwealth’s Constitutional traditions – the oldest of their kind in the nation – while leveraging the new ideas and greater accountability necessary to ensure a bright future.

Open Space and the Environment

We need to promote Public Transportation in order to lessen our impact on the environment and to increase the livability of the area. Accordingly, we need to bring the R3 Commuter Train back to West Chester. By bringing back commuter rail service, we can protect the environment, enhance public transportation, create jobs and raise community property values and “livability” while reinforcing our strong and historic connection to neighboring towns.

I pledge to protect the Open Space of Chester County. Our natural landscape is our most important natural resource and is endangered by increasing development. The confluence of conservation projects and smart growth can give the district the opportunity to grow while protecting Open Space.