Jennifer Shukaitis

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Jennifer Shukaitis

Democratic Party

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 8, 2022

Education

Bachelor's

East Stroudsburg University, 1998

Graduate

Colorado State University, 2000

Personal

Birthplace

East Stroudsburg, Pa.

Religion

Unaffiliated Christian

Profession

Medical Coding Specialist

Contact

Personal Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Jennifer Shukaitis (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Pennsylvania State Senate to represent District 40. She lost in the general election on November 8, 2022.

Shukaitis also ran for election to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to represent District 189. She did not appear on the ballot for the Democratic primary on May 17, 2022.

Shukaitis completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Jennifer Shukaitis was born in East Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. She earned a bachelor's degree from East Stroudsburg University in 1998 and a graduate degree from Colorado State University in 2000. Her career experience includes working in retail, operations management, healthcare, and as a medical coding specialist. Shukaitis has served with Brodhead Watershed Association as secretary and Act 137 Affordable Housing as a board member. She has been affiliated with Stroud Regional Open Space and Recreation Commission.

Elections

2022

State Senate

See also: Pennsylvania State Senate elections, 2022

General election

General election for Pennsylvania State Senate District 40

Rosemary Brown defeated Jennifer Shukaitis in the general election for Pennsylvania State Senate District 40 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Rosemary Brown (R)	55.3	53,795
		Jennifer Shukaitis (D)	44.7	43,557

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 97,352
= 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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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Joel Getz (L)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Pennsylvania State Senate District 40

Jennifer Shukaitis advanced from the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania State Senate District 40 on May 17, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Jennifer Shukaitis	99.0	19,832
		Other/Write-in votes	1.0	192

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 20,024
= 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 State Senate District 40

Rosemary Brown advanced from the Republican primary for Pennsylvania State Senate District 40 on May 17, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Rosemary Brown	97.9	19,544
		Other/Write-in votes	2.1	427

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 19,971
= 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.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Kim Digaetano (R)

State House

See also: Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2022

General election

General election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 189

Tarah Probst defeated Stephen Ertle in the general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 189 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Tarah Probst (D)	55.9	11,346
	Submit photo	Stephen Ertle (R)	44.1	8,967

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 20,313
= 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.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 189

Tarah Probst advanced from the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 189 on May 17, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Tarah Probst	100.0	4,152

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 4,152
= 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.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Andre Reames (D)
• Jennifer Shukaitis (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 189

Stephen Ertle defeated John Petrizzo in the Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 189 on May 17, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Stephen Ertle	57.9	2,114
	Submit photo	John Petrizzo	42.1	1,539

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 3,653
= 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

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Jennifer Shukaitis completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Shukaitis' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Jennifer Shukaitis is a Stroud Township Supervisor in one of the largest local municipalities, boasting 10 years without a tax increase. She has overseen expansion of open space, and infrastructure improvements. Shukaitis serves as Secretary of the Brodhead Watershed Association, Vice Chair of the Monroe County Democratic Committee, and is a board member of Stroud Regional Open Space Commission and the Monroe County Act 137 Affordable Housing Board. Shukaitis is a team player working tirelessly and dependably. As a healthcare worker, a dog mom, and a lifelong Pennsylvanian, she is committed to the well-being of the 40th District and the Commonwealth.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• As a solutions-based candidate, it's essential to cut property taxes for those who are unfairly burdened, and to make sure schools have the funding they need to prepare our children equitably for a life of prosperity and productivity.
• Clean water means ensuring the proper balance of development and protections. I support commonsense protections for our water and health.
• I will work for the working people and businesses to strike a balance in economic development where we have a thriving local economy as well as jobs that support the cost of living.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about policy that empowers healthy lifestyles for our children, working folks and older adults. This includes housing that is affordable, access to healthcare, improving roads and bridges as well as expanding broadband, and especially preserving our precious natural resources. My strengths would be best served on committees for the community, economic & recreational development and local government to facilitate improvements by working together with local municipalities to achieve these goals.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to my grandmother and environmental advocate, Nancy Shukaitis. She lived her life with integrity and positivity and nurtured my affinity for education, creativity and service to others. After forming a grass roots organization to protect our community from a federal dam project, she was the first female to be elected Monroe County Commissioner. She worked to preserve the land in what is the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation area, started our County bus system, and installed solar panels on the county courthouse in 1980. My wish is to carry on her legacy in doing what is right for everyone in our community.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Not that I know of. Perhaps I should write one!

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

An elected official should be educated and/or informed about government process and issues. An elected official should have characteristics of integrity and the ability to make proper decisions without succumbing to pressures of special interest groups or political party.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am a hard worker, a team player, reliable, responsive, and someone who enjoys helping others. I have a vast history of life and career perspectives that contribute to my ability to see all sides of an issue and work on complex issues. My passion for making things better and not getting discouraged is perhaps most valuable to being successful.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

I believe the core responsibilities in Harrisburg for a state senator are to budget responsibly, legislate for the betterment of the state, create fair taxation policy, and appropriate spending effectively.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to lay the foundation for a future where all Pennsylvanians have opportunities for clean air, clean water, education that leads to fulfilling jobs which pay a livable wage, and a community with amenities of open space, trails and activities for a balanced, healthy lifestyle no matter the season of life.

I would like to see Pennsylvania be an example, with an exemplary credit rating, a balanced budget, an advanced infrastructure and prosperous future.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I remember the Challenger Space Shuttle explosion in 1986. I was ten years old and in school at the time. Christa McAuliffe was a role model who demonstrated that women can pursue their dreams. While the loss of all our astronauts that day was devastating, their legacy lives on in my heart.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

My first job was delivering newspapers for the Pocono Record. I was 12 years old and walked two routes on steep hills for 4 years. I took pride in quietly hand delivering each paper inside the screen door each morning before 6am so each customer didn't have to walk outside and it was there before the sun came up.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Lasting Legacies of the Lower Minisink, written by my grandmother, Nancy Shukaitis, is my favorite book. It highlights the history of the local region and the farms that used to line the Delaware River in what is not the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Jane Eyre

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

I saw the sign

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

It is a challenge to see others give up because of inequity and insufficient resourcees. Seeing the lines at food pantries, hearing from folks who move away because they can no longer afford to live here, learning about older adults who struggle to pay for their medications, and witnessing the mental health issues that to me can be tackled at their core and for too long have not been addressed.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Ideally the legislature and governor would work together for the best interests of all Pennsylvanians in the short-term as well as for future generations.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

The greatest challenges ahead seem to be revenue sourcing, sprawl development, impaired water quality, housing that is affordable for working and older adults, and livable wage jobs.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?

A unicameral legislature would be potentially be able to enact legislation in a more timely manner and essentially would be more responsive to emergencies, but without checks and balances, laws could be passed without the regard deemed necessary for the fairness of all.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

It's definitely important for state legislators to have previous experience in order to be navigate effectively and be productive. Having served as a township supervisor in one of the largest municipalities, I not only understand the process, but also have a deep understanding of what is needed to achieve a symbiosis among all levels of government to coordinate in a more effective manner. Having private sector experience is a beneficial dovetail to coordinating with community organizations and businesses.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Building relationships with other legislators regardless of party affiliation is essential to progressing forward. As a Township Supervisor, our board has developed a dynamic relationship of cooperation and camaraderie. Having mutual respect for one another, communicating respectfully, and a shared goal of making the best decision for everyone has been productive and effective in legislating and decision making.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

I favor an independent commission be initiated for redistricting.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

My priority committees would be Community, Economic and Recreational Development, Local Government, and Environmental Resources and Energy.

If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?

n/a

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Various legislators inspire me, but I am an individual who stays true to myself and tend not to mimic others.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

I hope to always serve where I am best suited to be.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Recently I spoke with an older adult in Mount Pocono Borough in my district. She told me that her sewer bill is $248 per quarter. She is retired and lives alone. She feels that no one has really helped her. I listened to her and story, and realize that we have a serious concern with overburdening older adults.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Two cows are standing in a pasture on a sunny day. One cow says to the other, "Moo!" The other cow says, "Aw, man, that's what I was going to say!"

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

In an emergency situation, time is of the essence. We elect a Lieutenant Governor to serve on the board of emergency management. In times of urgency, we should be able to entrust the use of emergency powers to our Governor with the guidance of the Lieutenant Governor. The legislature should find ways to support and guide response efforts.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Compromise is necessary in all aspects of life, but especially in policymaking that involves a broad population. As a township supervisor, our policymaking relies upon listening, respect and compromise.

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.

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Footnotes

[show]

Current members of the Pennsylvania State Senate

Leadership

Majority Leader:Joe Pittman

Minority Leader:Jay Costa

Senators

District 1

Nikil Saval (D)

District 2

Christine Tartaglione (D)

District 3

Sharif Street (D)

District 4

Art Haywood (D)

District 5

Joe Picozzi (R)

District 6

Frank Farry (R)

District 7

Vincent Hughes (D)

District 8

Anthony Williams (D)

District 9

John Kane (D)

District 10

Steve Santarsiero (D)

District 11

Judy Schwank (D)

District 12

Maria Collett (D)

District 13

Scott Martin (R)

District 14

Nick Miller (D)

District 15

Patty Kim (D)

District 16

Jarrett Coleman (R)

District 17

Amanda Cappelletti (D)

District 18

Lisa Boscola (D)

District 19

Carolyn Comitta (D)

District 20

Lisa Baker (R)

District 21

Scott Hutchinson (R)

District 22

Martin Flynn (D)

District 23

Gene Yaw (R)

District 24

Tracy Pennycuick (R)

District 25

Cris Dush (R)

District 26

Timothy Kearney (D)

District 27

Lynda Culver (R)

District 28

Kristin Phillips-Hill (R)

District 29

David Argall (R)

District 30

Judith Ward (R)

District 31

Dawn Keefer (R)

District 32

Patrick Stefano (R)

District 33

Doug Mastriano (R)

District 34

Greg Rothman (R)

District 35

Wayne Langerholc (R)

District 36

James Malone (D)

District 37

Devlin Robinson (R)

District 38

Lindsey Williams (D)

District 39

Kim Ward (R)

District 40

Rosemary Brown (R)

District 41

Joe Pittman (R)

District 42

Wayne Fontana (D)

District 43

Jay Costa (D)

District 44

Katie Muth (D)

District 45

Nick Pisciottano (D)

District 46

Camera Bartolotta (R)

District 47

Elder Vogel (R)

District 48

Chris Gebhard (R)

District 49

Daniel Laughlin (R)

District 50

Michele Brooks (R)

Republican Party (27)

Democratic Party (23)