Suzanne Delahunt
Suzanne Delahunt (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives to represent District 37. She lost in the general election on November 6, 2018.
Delahunt completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2018. Click here to read the survey answers.
Elections
2018
General election
General election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 37
Incumbent Mindy Fee defeated Suzanne Delahunt in the general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 37 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Mindy Fee (R) | 72.7 | 18,510 |
 | Suzanne Delahunt (D)  | 27.3 | 6,964 | |
| Total votes: 25,474 | |||
| = 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 37
Suzanne Delahunt advanced from the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 37 on May 15, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Suzanne Delahunt | 100.0 | 1,551 |
| Total votes: 1,551 | |||
| = 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 37
Incumbent Mindy Fee advanced from the Republican primary for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 37 on May 15, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Mindy Fee | 100.0 | 5,869 |
| Total votes: 5,869 | |||
| = 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
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Suzanne Delahunt completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Delahunt's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
1. Creating new revenue streams by taxing Marcellus shale, natural gas and distribution of same. Also, tax pipelines as property. Increase environmental protections for fossil fuel extraction. 2. Close Delaware loophole, thereby increasing taxable revenues. 3. No cuts to Medicare!!
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Reestablishing funds to Medicare, no cuts. A healthy economy depends on a healthy workforce. Medicare funds more than just health care. Seniors in nursing homes are almost exclusively funded by Medicare, school programs are at risk with funding cuts, and the disabled are the most vulnerable to cuts for essential services.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
JFK. He had vision, drive and passion. His policies are still in evidence today. He had a heart for the least in our society and tried to bring about equality and justice for the most at risk segments of our society. He was well educated , well read and articulate. His foreign policies were tough but fair.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
Time for Truth, by Os Guiness and the Case for Civility, also by Os Guiness.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
Honesty, dedication, vision and civility. Also a strong sense of independence from special interest groups, PACs and lobbyists.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
Honesty, dedication, vision and civility. Also, I am well educated and independent of special interest groups, PACs, and lobbyists.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
To serve the voter first, the State second, and the Legislature third.
What legacy would you like to leave?
Tax reform, closing the Delaware Loophole, environmental protection and restoring funding to Medicare.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
The assassination of JFK. 5 years old.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
Church organist. Lifetime career.
What happened on your most awkward date?
My boyfriend forgot his wallet and left me with the bill while he went home to get the money.
What is your favorite holiday? Why?
Fourth of July. It's America's birthday, happens in the summer and reminds me of how lucky we are to live in this country
What is your favorite book? Why?
The Bible. It gives us wisdom for today, information for the future and history from the past.
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
My piano. It brings me joy, peace and artistic expression.
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
The BeeGees: How Deep is Your Love?
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
Remaining positive despite the increasing negativity in our society and world.
Every state besides Nebraska has two legislative chambers. What do you consider the most important differences between the legislative chambers in your state?
The State Legislature creates the laws that benefit or harm the majority of the Commonwealth.
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?
Beneficial but not crucial.
What do you perceive to be your state’s greatest challenges over the next decade?
Tax reform, Medicare and Healthcare and the environment.
What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?
They should be able to work hand in glove!
Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.
Yes. In fact my campaign slogan is " Building Bridges." It is my ambition to cross the aisle and work with members of the other party. If there is no bipartisan cooperation, we will not have a functioning, viable government in Harrisburg.
What process do you favor for redistricting?
Let the voters decide, not the Legislature.
If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?
Education, the Environment and Healthcare.
If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?
Yes. Party speaker.
Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?
Chuck Schumer, Democrat from NY.
Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?
Possibly.
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?
Several stories about the tragedy of Dairy farmers losing their farms due to decreased markets, property taxes and excessive legislation. I was especially saddened because they were multi-generational farms. Lancaster is well known for its dairy production so it is doubly sad that dairy farmers are so seriously at risk.
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
- State legislative elections, 2018
- Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2018
- Pennsylvania House of Representatives
External links
Footnotes
