Margie Zelenak

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Margie Zelenak
Image of Margie Zelenak

Democratic Party

Elections and appointments
Last election

November 5, 2024

Education

Associate

Westmoreland County Community College, 2008

Bachelor's

Seton Hill University, 2012

Personal
Birthplace
Mount Pleasant, Pa.
Religion
Roman Catholic
Profession
Consultant
Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Personal Facebook

Personal Instagram

Personal LinkedIn

Margie Zelenak (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to represent District 59. She lost in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Zelenak completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Margie Zelenak was born in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania. She earned an associate degree from Westmoreland County Community College in 2008 and a bachelor's degree from Seton Hill University in 2012. Zelenak's career experience includes working as a consultant.[1]

As of 2024, Zelenak was affiliated with the following organizations:[1]

  • Southwestern Pennsylvania Partnership for Aging
  • Westmoreland County Democrats
  • Democratic Women of Westmoreland
  • League of Women Voters

Elections

2024

See also: Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2024

General election

General election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 59

Incumbent Leslie Baum Rossi defeated Margie Zelenak in the general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 59 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Leslie Baum Rossi
Leslie Baum Rossi (R)
 
69.7
 
27,202
Image of Margie Zelenak
Margie Zelenak (D) Candidate Connection
 
30.2
 
11,776
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.1
 
55

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source 1 Source 2

Total votes: 39,033
Candidate Connection = 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 59

Margie Zelenak advanced from the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 59 on April 23, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Margie Zelenak
Margie Zelenak Candidate Connection
 
98.7
 
4,887
 Other/Write-in votes
 
1.3
 
65

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 4,952
Candidate Connection = 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 59

Incumbent Leslie Baum Rossi advanced from the Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 59 on April 23, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Leslie Baum Rossi
Leslie Baum Rossi
 
98.9
 
6,829
 Other/Write-in votes
 
1.1
 
75

Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 6,904
Candidate Connection = 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 finance

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Zelenak in this election.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

Margie Zelenak completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Zelenak's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

The past 24 years I have been working and dedicated to advocating for senior living and the senior population of Pennsylvania. My career has taken several turns but finally lead me to the Executive Director position with the PA Assisted Living Association (PALA). During my tenure as the executive director, I advocated in both Harrisburg and Washington, DC. This advocacy allowed me to develop relationships on both sides of the aisle to benefit seniors. Currently, I serve on the PA Governor's Long-Term Care Council. The council is the steering committee to develop the 10 year Master Plan, Aging our Way, PA. I have received several state and national awards for my advocacy and dedication to the field of aging. I have raised two amazing children, Lisa and Eddie, as a single parent. Both attended IUP university and Lisa attended law school in Washington, DC. I understand the struggles of single parents and all parents on developing the priorities to sustain your family especially the financial strains. I have 5 siblings (1 deceased), many cousins and friends that have been my support both personally and professionally. I retired last year but felt I still have more to give especially in trying to assist the aging population of Pennsylvania.
  • Workforce Crisis – the district and state are facing an issue with finding the workers especially healthcare direct care staff to provide the care for the aging population. One of the barriers is childcare. PA needs to increase affordable childcare to help with the workforce crisis. Families must decide between entering the workforce or paying for expensive childcare. PA needs to assist with employer grants for onsite childcare to offer at a reduced rate for the workers.
  • Aging Population – The ability to provide care for this population will only increase and a lack of affordable options and workers will strain the healthcare system. Affordable housing for seniors as they age is a priority. Many who can no longer maintain a home have few options for senior living unless they spend down and become Medicaid eligible. Aging our Way, PA, Governor Shapiro’s 10-year strategic plan for aging in PA begins the process to put into place changes that will not only benefit the senior population but will benefit all in the commonwealth.
  • Safety and security - Safety and security is more than gun violence and crime. Residents must feel they are safe and secure from losing their jobs, home, and income. The aging population, housing and infrastructure of PA is a challenge. The 59th district is located in Westmoreland County. In 2020, 23.6% of the population was age 65 or over. The increasing senior population brings with it an aging housing infrastructure, also. Many homes and buildings are over 50 years old. Residents find it difficult to maintain their homes. Property taxes are a concern to support school districts with declining population of students.
I am passionate about the aging population and senior issues in Pennsylvania and the country.
Legislators do not always focus on the senior population when they governing. Seniors do vote but feel their issues are not being heard in Harrisburg. They can't all show up on the steps to demonstrate but have concerns. Many are living longer and do not know if they will be able to maintain their homes both financially and physically. I want to be their voice in Harrisburg.
I don't have one person that I look up to. There are many people that entered my life for a time or a lifetime that have influenced my career path and personal life.
An elected official must be honest and listen to their constituents. An elected official should not be seeking an office for personal gains but to serve the people. They must also be willing to listen to both sides of an issue. It should not matter what their party they are afflicted with, they must represent all of the constituents.
They must seek to improve their district by advocating for their constituents for legislative and financial assistance that will benefit everyone.
President Kennedy's death. I was 10.
My first job was directly out of high school working as a payroll clerk. I worked there for 7 years until the birth of my daughter. One of the highlights of this job was to organize the office staff to join the union.
Another One Bites the Dust - Queen - Freddy Mercury is the greatest singer.
The ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature must be one of transparency. They must work together to accomplish legislation to benefit the Commonwealth. Unfortunately in Pennsylvania, we have a divided legislature; Republican Senate, Democratic House and Democratic Governor. This can make it difficult to accomplish initiatives without the full cooperation of all branches.
The Aging Population in Pennsylvania will be the greatest challenge. The 85+ population is fasting growing population in PA. To support this population, we need a workforce to assist with their care. My district is located in Westmoreland County. In 2020, 23.6% of the population was over 65. With the aging population, we also have aging housing and infrastructure including utilities. Westmoreland County must look at initiatives to retain those under 55 and to have incentives for people to move here. Business are essential for growth and attracting them to Westmoreland County must be a priority.
No they do not need previous experience but it does help if they understand the issues of their state and district.
Yes, as a former advocate your must build those relationships on both sides of the aisle. Even though I am not currently an elected official. I have developed relationships with elected officials that will benefit me when I am elected.
There is no particular legislator that I would model myself after. As a legislator you must adapt to the circumstances and be willing to change.
No
The stories that I am hearing are of gratitude for seeking office. Many are seniors that feel they are not represented in Harrisburg.
That is a difficult question to answer. A specific situation, if it is an extreme emergency, must be dealt with immediately by the Governor.
PA has a divided legislature and coming to consensus may not be immediately. I do feel the Governor should consult the General Assembly leadership prior to using any emergency powers.
I would like to introduce legislation to assist families that can no longer provide care for their family member with dementia at home. The cost of living at a Memory Care community is not affordable by many. Pennsylvania's lottery funds are to help senior citizens. I would like to develop legislation for use of lottery funds to assist with this living option. A person with dementia must be safe and many times their home to not a safe environment. Also, the care can be a physical strain on the family caregiver.
endorsements: Represent PA, Pa State Teachers Association
Candidate of Distinction - Mothers Demand Gun Sense
Pennsylvania House Aging and Older Adults, House Health, House Human Services.
I follow the work of the US Senate Special committee on Aging.
There must be financial transparency for elected officials and government.
The government must be open and provide the information on their decisions and their fiscal responsibilities.

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.

Campaign finance summary

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

Margie Zelenak campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2024* Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 59Lost general$35,661 $28,893
Grand total$35,661 $28,893
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete

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External links

Candidate

Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 59
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    Footnotes

    1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on April 11, 2024


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