Fred Owens
From Ballotpedia
This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.
Fred Owens (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to represent District 47. He lost in the general election on November 3, 2020.
Owens completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Owens was born on February 16, 1950, in Philipsburg, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Franklin & Marshall College with a bachelor's degree in 1972. He went on to graduate from Pennsylvania State University with a master's degree in 1974 and a Ph.D. in 1976. Perez's professional experience includes working as a professor.[1]
Elections
2020
See also: Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2020
General election
General election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 47
Incumbent Keith Gillespie defeated Fred Owens in the general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 47 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Keith Gillespie (R) | 65.4 | 22,066 |
 | Fred Owens (D)  | 34.6 | 11,687 | |
| Total votes: 33,753 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 47
Fred Owens advanced from the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 47 on June 2, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Fred Owens (Write-in) | 39.8 | 524 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 60.2 | 791 | ||
| Total votes: 1,315 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 47
Incumbent Keith Gillespie advanced from the Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 47 on June 2, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Keith Gillespie | 100.0 | 6,997 |
| Total votes: 6,997 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign themes
2020
Video for Ballotpedia
| Video submitted to Ballotpedia Released July 3, 2020 |
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Fred Owens completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Owens' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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Born and raised in Pennsylvania, I recently retired as a professor at Franklin & Marshall College. I am an outdoorsman and have loved fishing, camping, and hiking since childhood. My Dad taught high school biology and shared his love of nature with my brother and me. With scholarships and loans, I attended F&M College, where I conducted my first scientific research. I earned a PhD at Penn State, and then served as an NIH Research Fellow at MIT before returning to join the faculty at F&M. My research on night vision and road safety generated more than 100 scientific publications. At F&M, I gained administrative experience as Department Chair and then Associate Dean of the Faculty. At home, I loved raising three talented children, now professionals in health care and transportation research. They have blessed our family with five beautiful grandchildren, ages 4 months to 9 years. In 2007, my wife and I built our home in Hellam Township, where I am a member of the Planning Commission. I am running for the PA House because I want my grandkids, and all children in Pennsylvania, to see a future that's as bright as mine was when I was a boy.
- For our children's future, we must restore state funding for public education so that every child, regardless of ZIP code, can have a fulfilling and prosperous life.
- We must fight for clean air and water and protection of our environment by holding polluters accountable to clean up and to prevent further destruction of natural resources.
- We must restore, maintain, and modernize our infrastructure - from roads and bridges to stable broadband internet service for all families.
Young people don't have the same opportunities that I had when I was growing up. Our public schools are underfunded. Graduates are crippled by college debt. I will work to expand the Fair Funding Formula for schools, so that every child receives a quality education regardless of where they grow up. Our economy is working great for wealthy people, but not so well for working families. We must ensure that working families and small businesses and farms are fully supported as we recover from COVID-19, and we must work to reverse the harm done to people of color by the legacy of systemic racism. We must also restore and modernize our infrastructure by repairing the roads and bridges and investing in broadband internet for all families. As signaled by extreme weather and record wildfires, climate change is a growing threat to our survival. We must end our dependence on fossil fuels and to shift to technologies like wind and solar. Developing clean energy will bring new economic development and thousands of jobs to PA with family-sustaining wages. To fund these important initiatives, we must reverse "trickle-down" economics. I appreciate the contributions of big corporations to Pennsylvania, but they must pay their fair share to our state treasury just as small local businesses do. Together, we can build a government that works for all Pennsylvanians.
This is a tough question! I have chosen Benjamin Franklin, whose tremendous energy, ingenuity, wit, and wisdom helped to shape our country. As a Founding Father, he helped write the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, and served as host for the Constitutional Convention. By that time in his life, he had already served abroad as an international diplomat who advocated forcefully for the interests of the American Colonies. Franklin was also a world-class scientist. His research on the physics of electricity and light would likely have won the Nobel Prize if it had existed at the time. He was also a noted inventor, credited with inventing the lightening rod, the Franklin stove, swim fins, bifocal glasses, and more. Franklin was also a leader at the local level. In Philadelphia, he was instrumental in forming the first fire company, the first lending library, and the University of Pennsylvania. Franklin's work for education also extended to the hinterlands, where, in 1787, he helped found Franklin College in Lancaster, PA, with a contribution of £200. In 1853, Franklin College merged with Marshall College (originally in Mercersburg) to form Franklin & Marshall College, where much later I served as a professor and researcher for 40 years.
I recommend the following books to anyone who wants to understand my political philosophy:
>> For a fascinating account of Lincoln's wisdom and political philosophy, see *Team of Rivals* by Doris Kearns Goodwin.
>> For a well-written account of how our economic system has created the greatest wealth disparity in decades and how it could be reorganized to restore prosperity for working people, see *Saving Capitalism: For the Many, Not the Few* by Robert B. Reich.
>> For a compelling account of how gerrymandering has cleverly distorted the makeup of state legislatures in recent years, see *Ratf**cked: Why Your Vote Doesn't Count* by David Daily.
Our state is facing a wide array of serious problems. Solutions will require problem-oriented analysis and action, and honest dialogue with the citizenry. I have been a scientist and teacher for more than 40 years. I know how to analyze complex systems, how to frame testable hypotheses, how to analyze data and interpret statistics. And I know how to listen, learn from, and communicate with a wide range or people. My research on vision and driving yielded more than 100 scientific publications, technical reports, and edited volumes. As a member of the Hellam Township Planning Commission, I am working to optimize the balance between development and preservation of our natural resources, , to protect prime farmland, to promote clean air and water, and to preserve our heritage through cooperation with organizations like the Horn Farm Center and the Lancaster Conservancy. Most important, I am blessed with five beautiful grandchildren and I feel compelled to do everything possible to leave them a world that is fertile and beautiful and abundant with opportunities to thrive.
Lincoln said it best: our government shall be "of the people, by the people, and for the people." This is the overarching principle to shape and guide the work of all our leaders. In the interests of the people, a state representative should be especially attentive to the following core responsibilities:
>> Maintain open and consistent contact with the constituency, including listening to the voters, holding regular Town Hall Meetings to discuss current issues, and providing easy access to information about ongoing legislation.
>> Maintain an independent perspective on the legislative process and find opportunities to propose and promote House Bills that serve the needs of all the people in our district, from farmers, small businesses and working families, to sportsman who hope to restore small-mouth bass to the Susquehanna.
>> Be constantly attentive to emerging legislation, including background, key objectives, counterarguments, and relevant evidence.
The first historical event that I remember clearly was shocking and tragic. It was the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963. I was 13 at the time.
My first job was as a part-time errant boy for a local men's' clothing store. At first, my tasks were stocking shelves, washing the big front window, and various odd jobs; later, I served as a sales clerk on busy days. I held the job for three years during high school.
A fictional character that I would like to emulate is President Jed Bartlett, played by Martin Sheen on the TV series *West Wing*.
When we launched our write-in campaign in early March, I focused on restoring state support for public education, clean air and water, environmental protection, and infrastructure. Funding for all these important issues has been cut to pay for tax breaks for big corporations. 70% of multinational corporations doing business in PA pay no state income tax! They use our infrastructure and consume our natural resources, and they should pay state taxes just as local businesses do. I oppose corporate welfare and "trickle-down" economics. I want to require big corporations and wealthy interests to pay their fair share in order to fund basic pubic interests like education and environmental protection. Meanwhile, COVID-19 was beginning to spread and exacerbate all pre-existing problems.
The pandemic is now our state's overarching challenge: the worst health crisis in more than a century and the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. It has revealed deeper problems of economic oppression and systemic racism, with far greater impact on low-income communities. We must work to eliminate such inequities. Our health and economy are tightly linked and must recover together. We cannot put profits above people. And we cannot allow partisan conflicts to undermine a cooperative, rational approach to recovery.
I strongly favor establishment of an independent redistricting commission. Pennsylvania is one of the most gerrymandered states in the country, with district lines drawn to protect partisan interests and incumbent career politicians, while stifling the will of the voters. A recent survey by F&M's Center for Opinion Research found that two-thirds of Pennsylvania's registered voters want a non-partisan independent commission to redraw our districts and eliminate the distortions of gerrymandering. I agree! We need a fair and transparent redistricting process that includes citizen participation, clear restrictions against unnecessary division of counties and municipalities, and open meetings with opportunities for public comment. Bipartisan bills addressing this problem have been introduced in the PA General Assembly (e.g., HB 2327, HB2638), but despite broad support, the Republican majority has not allowed any to come to the floor for a vote. We can do better! Gerrymandering has seriously damaged our democratic process by promoting entrenched party interests above a fair representation of the voters' interests. I will work to restore the voice of the people by eliminating partisan redistricting.
As a new Representative, I would welcome the opportunity to serve on the following committees: Education; Environmental Resources and Energy; Transportation; Consumer Affairs
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2020 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on September 28, 2020
Current members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Leadership
Speaker of the House:Joanna McClinton
Majority Leader:Kerry Benninghoff
Minority Leader:Jesse Topper
Representatives
District 1
Patrick Harkins (D)
District 2
Robert Merski (D)
District 3
Ryan Bizzarro (D)
District 4
Jake Banta (R)
District 5
Eric Weaknecht (R)
District 6
Bradley Roae (R)
District 7
Parke Wentling (R)
District 8
Aaron Bernstine (R)
District 9
Marla Brown (R)
District 10
Amen Brown (D)
District 11
Marci Mustello (R)
District 12
District 13
John Lawrence (R)
District 14
Roman Kozak (R)
District 15
Joshua Kail (R)
District 16
Robert Matzie (D)
District 17
Tim Bonner (R)
District 18
K.C. Tomlinson (R)
District 19
Aerion Abney (D)
District 20
Emily Kinkead (D)
District 21
Lindsay Powell (D)
District 22
Joshua Siegel (D)
District 23
Dan Frankel (D)
District 24
La'Tasha Mayes (D)
District 25
Brandon Markosek (D)
District 26
Paul Friel (D)
District 27
Daniel Deasy (D)
District 28
Jeremy Shaffer (R)
District 29
Tim Brennan (D)
District 30
Arvind Venkat (D)
District 31
Perry Warren (D)
District 32
Joe McAndrew (D)
District 33
Mandy Steele (D)
District 34
District 35
Dan Goughnour (D)
District 36
Jessica Benham (D)
District 37
Mindy Fee (R)
District 38
John Inglis (D)
District 39
Andrew Kuzma (R)
District 40
Natalie Mihalek (R)
District 41
Brett Miller (R)
District 42
Dan Miller (D)
District 43
Keith Greiner (R)
District 44
Valerie Gaydos (R)
District 45
Anita Kulik (D)
District 46
Jason Ortitay (R)
District 47
Joe D'Orsie (R)
District 48
Timothy O'Neal (R)
District 49
District 50
Bud Cook (R)
District 51
District 52
Ryan Warner (R)
District 53
Steven Malagari (D)
District 54
Greg Scott (D)
District 55
Jill Cooper (R)
District 56
Brian Rasel (R)
District 57
Eric Nelson (R)
District 58
Eric Davanzo (R)
District 59
Leslie Rossi (R)
District 60
Abby Major (R)
District 61
Liz Hanbidge (D)
District 62
James Struzzi (R)
District 63
Josh Bashline (R)
District 64
R. James (R)
District 65
Kathy Rapp (R)
District 66
Brian Smith (R)
District 67
Martin Causer (R)
District 68
Clint Owlett (R)
District 69
Carl Metzgar (R)
District 70
Matthew Bradford (D)
District 71
Jim Rigby (R)
District 72
Frank Burns (D)
District 73
Dallas Kephart (R)
District 74
Dan Williams (D)
District 75
Mike Armanini (R)
District 76
District 77
Scott Conklin (D)
District 78
Jesse Topper (R)
District 79
Louis Schmitt (R)
District 80
Scott Barger (R)
District 81
Richard Irvin (R)
District 82
Paul Takac (D)
District 83
Jamie Flick (R)
District 84
Joe Hamm (R)
District 85
David Rowe (R)
District 86
Perry Stambaugh (R)
District 87
Thomas Kutz (R)
District 88
Sheryl Delozier (R)
District 89
Rob Kauffman (R)
District 90
Chad Reichard (R)
District 91
Dan Moul (R)
District 92
Marc Anderson (R)
District 93
Mike Jones (R)
District 94
Wendy Fink (R)
District 95
Carol Hill-Evans (D)
District 96
Nikki Rivera (D)
District 97
Steven Mentzer (R)
District 98
Tom Jones (R)
District 99
David Zimmerman (R)
District 100
Bryan Cutler (R)
District 101
John Schlegel (R)
District 102
Russell Diamond (R)
District 103
Nate Davidson (D)
District 104
Dave Madsen (D)
District 105
Justin Fleming (D)
District 106
Thomas Mehaffie (R)
District 107
Joanne Stehr (R)
District 108
Michael Stender (R)
District 109
Robert Leadbeter (R)
District 110
Tina Pickett (R)
District 111
Jonathan Fritz (R)
District 112
Kyle Mullins (D)
District 113
Kyle Donahue (D)
District 114
District 115
Maureen Madden (D)
District 116
Dane Watro (R)
District 117
Jamie Walsh (R)
District 118
James Haddock (D)
District 119
Alec Ryncavage (R)
District 120
Brenda Pugh (R)
District 121
Eddie Pashinski (D)
District 122
Doyle Heffley (R)
District 123
Tim Twardzik (R)
District 124
Jamie Barton (R)
District 125
Joe Kerwin (R)
District 126
Jacklyn Rusnock (D)
District 127
Manuel Guzman (D)
District 128
Mark Gillen (R)
District 129
District 130
David Maloney (R)
District 131
Milou Mackenzie (R)
District 132
District 133
Jeanne McNeill (D)
District 134
Peter Schweyer (D)
District 135
Steve Samuelson (D)
District 136
Robert Freeman (D)
District 137
Joe Emrick (R)
District 138
Ann Flood (R)
District 139
Jeff Olsommer (R)
District 140
Jim Prokopiak (D)
District 141
Tina Davis (D)
District 142
Joseph Hogan (R)
District 143
Shelby Labs (R)
District 144
Brian Munroe (D)
District 145
Craig Staats (R)
District 146
Joseph Ciresi (D)
District 147
Donna Scheuren (R)
District 148
Mary Daley (D)
District 149
Tim Briggs (D)
District 150
Joseph Webster (D)
District 151
Melissa Cerrato (D)
District 152
Nancy Guenst (D)
District 153
Ben Sanchez (D)
District 154
Napoleon Nelson (D)
District 155
District 156
District 157
District 158
Christina Sappey (D)
District 159
Carol Kazeem (D)
District 160
Craig Williams (R)
District 161
Leanne Krueger (D)
District 162
David Delloso (D)
District 163
Heather Boyd (D)
District 164
Gina Curry (D)
District 165
Jennifer O'Mara (D)
District 166
Gregory Vitali (D)
District 167
Kristine Howard (D)
District 168
Lisa Borowski (D)
District 169
Kate Klunk (R)
District 170
Martina White (R)
District 171
District 172
Sean Dougherty (D)
District 173
District 174
Ed Neilson (D)
District 175
Mary Isaacson (D)
District 176
Jack Rader (R)
District 177
District 178
Kristin Marcell (R)
District 179
Jason Dawkins (D)
District 180
Jose Giral (D)
District 181
Malcolm Kenyatta (D)
District 182
Benjamin Waxman (D)
District 183
Zachary Mako (R)
District 184
District 185
Regina Young (D)
District 186
Jordan Harris (D)
District 187
Gary Day (R)
District 188
Rick Krajewski (D)
District 189
Tarah Probst (D)
District 190
Roni Green (D)
District 191
Joanna McClinton (D)
District 192
Morgan Cephas (D)
District 193
Torren Ecker (R)
District 194
Tarik Khan (D)
District 195
Keith Harris (D)
District 196
Seth Grove (R)
District 197
Danilo Burgos (D)
District 198
Darisha Parker (D)
District 199
Barbara Gleim (R)
District 200
Christopher Rabb (D)
District 201
Andre Carroll (D)
District 202
Jared Solomon (D)
District 203
Anthony Bellmon (D)
Democratic Party (102)
Republican Party (101)
