John McGuigan

John McGuigan (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. Senate to represent Pennsylvania. He did not appear on the ballot for the Democratic primary on May 17, 2022.

McGuigan completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

John McGuigan was born in Norristown, Pennsylvania. He earned a bachelor's degree from Saint Joseph's University in 1991. He earned a graduate degree from Villanova University in 1998. McGuigan's career experience includes working in internal bank audits and financial operations, and in sales operations. He has volunteered with the Spring Valley YMCA as a youth sports coach. He has served as the female athletic director, vice president, and as a field hockey coach with the Holy Family CYO in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. McGuigan has served as an officer with the Knights of Columbus in Phoenixville. He has served as a coach with the Spring-Ford Youth Basketball League.^[1]

Elections

2022

General election

General election for U.S. Senate Pennsylvania

The following candidates ran in the general election for U.S. Senate Pennsylvania on November 8, 2022.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	John Fetterman (D)	51.2	2,751,012
	Mehmet Oz (R)	46.3	2,487,260
	Erik Chase Gerhardt (L)	1.4	72,887
	Richard Weiss (G)	0.6	30,434
	Daniel Wassmer (Keystone Party of Pennsylvania)	0.5	26,428
	Quincy Magee (Independent) (Write-in)	0.0	0
	Ronald Johnson (Constitution Party) (Write-in)	0.0	0

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 5,368,021
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Everett Stern (Independent)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Pennsylvania

John Fetterman defeated Conor Lamb, Malcolm Kenyatta, and Alexandria Khalil in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Pennsylvania on May 17, 2022.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	John Fetterman	58.6	753,557
	Conor Lamb	26.3	337,498
	Malcolm Kenyatta	10.8	139,393
	Alexandria Khalil	4.2	54,460

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,284,908
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. Senate Pennsylvania

The following candidates ran in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate Pennsylvania on May 17, 2022.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Mehmet Oz	31.2	420,168
	David McCormick	31.1	419,218
	Kathy Barnette	24.7	331,903
	Carla Sands	5.4	73,360
	Jeff Bartos	5.0	66,684
	Sean Gale	1.5	20,266
	George Bochetto	1.1	14,492

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,346,091
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

John McGuigan completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by McGuigan's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a working-class Pennsylvanian, father, husband and individual who cares and is concerned about the future of others. I am frustrated by career politicians who cause more problems than they solve. I believe the solutions to our challenges will come from Americans with real world experiences. We need public servants who actually want to solve problems not just talk about them.

My family taught me the importance of hard work and an education. I graduated from Norristown public schools and worked my way through St. Joseph’s University, undergraduate, and through Villanova University, for my MBA.

At twenty, I was the youngest elected official in Pennsylvania as a Norristown councilmember. In a very Republican registration district, I defeated the Republican president of council. The first Democrat re-elected in 20 years I received over 60% of the vote. I served in a legislative body, in majority and minority positions, but always working to improve the lives of my constituents.

Leaving politics and starting my family, my wife and I are raising three amazing children. I volunteered in my community coaching youth sports, raising money for children’s education, and using my financial experience to help support my church.

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?

We need to reform our criminal justice system. Until all Americans can feel and be safe in their homes, on our streets, in schools and at work, we cannot move forward together. This involves dismantling the business of incarceration, ending cash bail, educating citizens of their rights under the constitution, shifting the financial burden for police misconduct to the police, creating national standards for policing and improving the quality of judges.
Advancing and advocating green initiatives like the Green New Deal to enable us to continue to live as we have come to know on this planet. Combating and preventing climate change events is not about protecting the planet, it is about protecting our ability to live on it. Adopting a green energy policy and practices will improve our health, strengthen our security, create better higher paying jobs, and save our species. The opportunity costs associated with the status quo is unquantifiable and deadly.
Our fundamental message is to create equal opportunities for all Americans to achieve their potential through education and labor. The area of passionate public policy section details the third key message.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Addressing the global climate crisis and the inequities of our justice system should be the main priorities of any elected official at this moment. However, the issue that hovers over almost every policy consideration, and more importantly over the kitchen table of 99% of Americans is that of income and wealth inequality.

I support Sen. Booker’s (D-NJ) “Baby Bond” initiative and would like to add to that proposal. The concept is upon birth each American child will receive $1,000. Additionally, each year, based on the child’s household income, they may receive up to $2,000. Upon reaching 18 years of age, the funds would be available for the child to use for college or learning a trade (one element where I differ).

With completion of a high school diploma or G.E.D., the young adult should be able to participate in a year of public service. This program will gather recent graduates for service projects in communities outside of, and different from, their home communities. During this year, these young adults will be housed, fed, paid, insured, coached, mentored and asked to work on projects communities need; all the while learning how to work with, live with, and understand Americans of different races, religions and economic backgrounds. We have grown more distant from each other and fail to understand that behind it all, we are each trying to achieve our potential.

After a year, participants will have their Baby Bond, $40K in scholarships and a new perspective.

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

I look up to every American who wakes up in the morning, maybe they do not feel all that well, yet they realize their obligations and their responsibilities, and they goes off to work to support themselves and their family. My father and mother did that for so many years and it provided a great example to me. Politically, I look up to Robert F. Kennedy because he was willing to confront the racial divide in this country. While his early political endeavors did not focus on poverty and racial inequities, he learned, grew and realized that there were systemic issues which needed to be solved; and then he was driven to solve them.

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

I would like to believe that the make-believe West Wing created by Aaron Sorkin would have some basis in reality. A group of smart, caring people working hard, day in, and day out to secure and improve our country.

I have watched the West Wing series many times and it resonates with me even 15 years later on several. issues and arguments.

There is a scene where the Ainsley Hayes character (played by Emily Procter), who is a Republican attorney trying not to be hired by the Democratic administration, defends them to her friends saying "don't call them worthless...the people I have met have been extraordinarily qualified, their intent is good, their commitment is true, they are righteous and they are good." I hope we can get to a place where we can have those feelings about members of the opposite side of the political spectrum.

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

Public service should be done out of a sense of responsibility and a commitment to service. We see too many office holders use their positions for personal gains for themselves and for their family. We have seen the statistics of individuals who have spent decades in "public service" yet have seen their individual net worth skyrocket while in office.

An elected official should demonstrate empathy for their constituents, a temperament that allows for hearing dissenting opinions, the ability to analyze problems, and the ability to build support for their proposed solutions.

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

My wife always tells me that I only am happy if I am busy and I think there is a truth to that statement. I value getting things completed and have a sense of pride in the quality of my work and effort. Coworkers and those I have managed say I have I degree of personal integrity, keeping my word and never putting them in a situation where I am asking them to do a task that I wouldn't do myself.

Having served a community at an early age in my life I had the opportunity to learn the value of empathy and listening. When someone is telling you a concern they have, giving them your full attention is the least you can do.

One of the things that focused me on this race was the lack of attention given to Pennsylvanians by the incumbent, his failure to meet with citizens, interact with them and listen to them is wrong. Elected officials have a responsibility to listen to all voices even those raised in opposition.

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

As mentioned elsewhere, to interact with and have a dialogue with all Pennsylvanians is important. I found that communication even between people who hold divergent views, is important to learning and growing.

One of the hardest meetings I ever had was a room full of people who disagreed with the position that I held, and the majority held, however I sat there for nearly three hours listening and hearing what they had to say.

When we cut off communication, as Sen. Toomey has, with each other, we stop improving both collectively and individually.

Any elected official has to behave with dignity and exercise good judgment. They should make their decisions based on sound judgment and with a clear conscience.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I like the philosophy of leaving things better when you are finished then when you found them. I try to practice that. I have a saying "today is better than yesterday and tomorrow will be better than today"; I would appreciate an opportunity to practice that as a U.S. Senator.

Specifically, I would like to leave behind a healthy and clean environment for my children and their future children. A fair and equitable better criminal justice program for all Americans which lives up to the ideals on which this nation was founded. Improve healthcare and have it acknowledged as a human right.

I think if we are able to do that, we can also begin to restore a sense of shared purpose, a shared dependency and view us all as Americans.

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

I remember the bicentennial celebrations in 1976, when I was six years old. Everyone, everywhere across the country was in a positive mood that summer. At school we dressed in colonial outfits. I remember my mother making me a minute man uniform, my grandfather lending us buttons and lapel pins from his army service. The Conestoga wagon train came through Bridgeport; my family went to a co-worker of my grandfather's house and watched from their porch as they went by. They set up an encampment in Valley Forge and we toured it. There was also a Freedom Train of memorabilia from the Smithsonian which stopped in Valley Forge and my father took me to it. I hope for our 250th birthday we can be even more united, have begun to address the serious issues we face today, and truly celebrate our democracy.

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

My first job was an afternoon paper route for The Times Herald. I started the job in the spring of my 8th grade year, I chose the job over being on my school's baseball team because my family needed the money. I had that job for five years, passing it to my brother when I went to college. I delivered newspapers to 86 of my neighbors Monday through Saturday. This route formed a foundation for my council run in 1989.

What is your favorite book? Why?

"A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith. The portrayal of the struggle of an immigrant American family, trying to better themselves through education and work despite their environment working against them. I found it relatable and an account of the early 20th century which my grandparents talked about.

I could easily picture the same scenes of immigrant dominated Brooklyn occurring in the East end of Norristown where my mother's mom grew up. Both my grandmothers stopped going to school after the 8th grade to work for the family. How my mother's mother would drop dough off at the bakery on her way to school then pick up the bread on the way home, reminded me of the struggles Francie went through. Trying to find joy as a child while dealing with grownup situations; I can also see how immigrants today still have similar issues.

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

This is a tough question; I read a lot of crime novels which have so many complex and fascinating main characters. There is a character in the Jack Ryan novels by Tom Clancy named John Clark (a.k.a. John Kelly). He's been described by Clancy as the darker side of Jack Ryan. Looking forward to finally seeing the Clark role featured on screen played by Michael B. Jordan.

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

"Watermelon Sugar" by Harry Stiles.

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

I know I have been blessed in many ways. I had a CEO once, who would tell a class of new hires that "you already won the lottery". When you think that, by some estimates, 80% of the world lives on less than $10 a day, he is correct.

There are and have been daily struggles. For the last six months of my father's life, helping my mother care for him, change him, feed him through a tube, lift him up and out of bed with a lift, while still trying to be a father to my three children, a husband and support my mother as she dealt with breast cancer, having my boss die, and losing my job--that was a tough year.

The past year during the pandemic has been tough. Saying "no" to children who want to see friends, play with others, do "normal" childhood things such as sleepovers or visits. Not seeing parents or able to comfort them, layoffs and pay cuts and dealing with those denying the science by not respecting you enough to wear a mask.

What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Currently the biggest challenge is protecting the democracy as we know it. The erosion of voting rights is the most serious concern. Ensuring every eligible American can vote is vital in a democracy. The limitation of those rights should be a concern to all as the myth of widespread election fraud is being used to take away the rights we have as Americans to participate in our government.

As stressed in my campaign, the ability for humans to survive on this planet is the world's biggest challenge. This is the decade where we need to take action in order to ensure we can live as we now know our lives to be, later in this century.

To reform and overhaul our criminal justice system has to be the domestic priority. Training our police, standardizing our tactics, educating law enforcement and our citizens on rights and responsibilities, ending the business of mass incarceration--we need to create a justice system which ensures equality for all.

What qualities does the U.S. Senate possess that makes it unique as an institution?

The Senate is the only legislative body in the world which requires a super majority to pass "routine" legislation. The U.S. Senate is far removed from the institution our founders established. I just finished reading "Kill Switch: The Rise of the Modern Senate and the Crippling of American Democracy" by Adam Jentleson wherein he outlines the deterioration of the institution. Through errors made as rules were edited, to the consolidation of power to elevate individuals for personal gain, the Senate has become a place where ideas disappear not emanate.

Passage of laws has numerous safeguards and hurdles bicameral passage, executive approval, and judicial review; there is no need to allow the minority to dictate actions and items under consideration by the Senate. Senators who are members of the GOP only represent 43% of the US population, and only once since 1996 have they represented the majority of US citizens. To think that an unelected individual (the parliamentarian) determined if the minimum wage should be changed--no debate, no negotiations, nothing--is abhorrent. Years of selfish and partisan corruption with malicious intent have made the concept of the Senate as a

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

There was a time when government experience mattered as it helped in the legislative process. Due to the money involved in campaigns and strong partisan politics, we are no longer in that place. Career politicians are creating division and problems more so than they are providing solutions. We need public servants who want to accomplish tasks not Tweet, who want to do their job not look for the next one.

Being able to work with others, to collaborate and to advocate towards a solution are key characteristics a member should possess. These are traits one fully develops in a workforce, not as a politician or attorney.

For those of us outside public service, when we start with a new company, we often experience in the first month or so asking "why do you do that?" about a process or policy. Many times we hear back "That's the way it's always been done." Getting an outside perspective is often healthy, needed and results in a better process.

What do you think of the filibuster?

As I mentioned, having recently read about the history of the Senate, and the origins and evolution of the filibuster; there is no other governmental body on this planet that has such a feature.

The only body with a similar feature was the Polish Sejm in the 1600. A feature called liberum veto which allowed any one member to block any piece of legislation--it led to the downfall of their central government and served as a warning to our founders.

Not only did the founders not include the filibuster in the Senate's design, they also did not intend for a supermajority to govern regular action. Seeing the issues caused by such requirements in the Articles of Confederation, Madison specifically reserved a super majority for treaties, removals of office, overriding vetoes, expulsion, and constitutional amendments.

Sen. John C. Calhoun used Senate rules and the filibuster to block anti-slaver legislation. The only successful uses of the filibuster in the Senate's history until 1964 were the times it was used to block civil rights legislation.

Sen. Mitch McConnell has taken the filibuster to the extreme, where through a maze of unanimous decrees, limiting of amendments and the filibuster any one Senator can control what gets done or not on the Senate floor. This. Must. End.

What criteria would you apply when deciding whether to confirm presidential appointees?

Competence on the job, subject matter expertise, character of person and related experience are the criteria I would insist upon. As well as the ability to regulate the industry over which they sit with the avoidance of conflicts of interest.

Presidents should be able to have the team around them to be successful in their roles; as long as that team is competent, free of corruption, and able to act independent of any prior relationships.

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

Yes, as agriculture is Pennsylvania's largest industry, we should have representation on the Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry committee. Due to the importance of Climate Action I would also be interested in the Commerce, Science, and Transportation committee as well as the Energy and Natural Resources, and Environment and Public Works committees. The Rules and Administration committee to address the working of the Senate as well as bring the social justice reforms we want in our policing to the Capitol Police Department, which is as large a police force as you find in major cities. Finally, I think the Select Committee on Ethics would be of interest as we look to restore trust in government.

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

I think from a national perspective former Sens. Tom Harkin of Iowa and Barbara Mikulski of Maryland come to mind. They both advocated for working Americans, spoke out for those with limited voices (Harkin with the Americans with Disability Act, Mikulski for children and immigrants), both came from working families and I am sure either one while strong advocates conducted their disagreements professionally and in a manner befitting the office.

More so for Pennsylvania, John Heinz. While some may point out he was a Republican, aside from his judicial voting record, I think looking at his positions many would equate him to a moderate or conservative Democrat today than as was know as a liberal Republican.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Most of the humor in our house is situational and I have a reputation of telling a lot of 'dad jokes'--in fact my avatar on Netflix is "Insert Dad Joke".

In classic 'dad joke' fashion, here goes: Two guys walked into a bar. You think the second one would've seen it.

How would you evaluate a judicial nominee?

"I would certainly look for better ones than those which were appointed under the Trump administration.

Overall, the judges appointed by the Trump administration have garnered more than three times as many ""no"" votes than all of the judges appointed in the 20th century combined. A staggering amount of lower qualified and homogenous nominees. Of the 185 nominees, 67% were white male, 33% under 40 years old and mostly all were from top 10 law schools. What about a judge who went to law school at night, or from a lower-tiered program but with years of practical experience--where are those appointees.

An individual's character, experience, and judicial independence should be factored into appointments."

What kind of relationships would you build with other senators?

When you have a job to do that involves other people it is incumbent upon you to work together and find common ground. With so many attorneys in government is there no wonder why there is so much confrontation.

Most Americans work with people they want no part of outside of the job, yet they are productive and can be successful. Our politicians need to be able to have disagreements without being disagreeable.

As I have at work, and on borough council, I will seek out other members--regardless of party affiliation--and build a working relationship. When a person has a good idea, regardless of their affiliation or my personal feelings, I will support that idea, adding to it and collaborating with them to bring a solution to Americans.

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U.S. Senate Pennsylvania

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Footnotes

↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on March 25, 2021

[show]

Pennsylvania's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

John Fetterman (D)

David McCormick (R)

Representatives

District 1

Brian Fitzpatrick (R)

District 2

Brendan Boyle (D)

District 3

Dwight Evans (D)

District 4

Madeleine Dean (D)

District 5

Mary Scanlon (D)

District 6

Chrissy Houlahan (D)

District 7

Ryan Mackenzie (R)

District 8

Rob Bresnahan (R)

District 9

Dan Meuser (R)

District 10

Scott Perry (R)

District 11

Lloyd Smucker (R)

District 12

Summer Lee (D)

District 13

John Joyce (R)

District 14

Guy Reschenthaler (R)

District 15

Glenn Thompson (R)

District 16

Mike Kelly (R)

District 17

Chris Deluzio (D)

Republican Party (11)

Democratic Party (8)

[bio-1] Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on March 25, 2021

[1]

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John McGuigan

Contents

Biography

Elections

2022

General election

General election for U.S. Senate Pennsylvania

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. Senate Pennsylvania

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. Senate Pennsylvania

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Campaign themes

2022

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

2025 Elections

2026 Elections

2024 Election analysis

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Public Policy

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