Election 2023: Democrat Diane Marseglia For Bucks County Commissioner

Candidates running in the Nov. 7 general election are providing background about themselves and their positions on the issues to voters in these profiles, which will run in Patch individually for each candidate.

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — Democrat Diane Marseglia is seeking re-election as Bucks County Commissioner. Four candidates are vying for three seats on the board of commissioners. They are Democrats Bob Harvie and Diane Marseglia and Republicans Gene DiGirolamo and Pamela Van Blunk.

Biographical Information

Name: Diane Marseglia

Age: 62
Town of residence: Middletown
Position sought: County Commissioner
Are you an incumbent? Yes
Party affiliation: Democrat
Family: Mother
Education: Bachelor's Degree in Sociology and Criminal Justice from the University of
Delaware, and Master of Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania
Occupation: County Commissioner

Questions

Why are you running?

I have been serving as Commissioner since 2008. During my tenure, I have always advocated for the people of Bucks County by vetting all county actions and promoting improvements to policies and programs that are lacking in efficiency and effectiveness. I have championed multiple programs, including Code Blue and specialty courts, as well as starting the Co-Responders program that puts social workers within police departments so our police can focus on preventing crime instead of handling mental health emergencies. Through my tenure as Commissioner and success as a majority leader, I have the experience and knowledge to always put the best interests of Bucks County first and want to continue the progress we have made.

What are your top issues and how do you plan to address them?

My top priorities in office will be managing the effects of the mental health crisis, keeping our communities safe, and continuing to hold the line on taxes as our economy recovers from rising costs. Throughout my time as Commissioner, I have always fought to expand our county’s response to the current mental health crisis. As majority Commissioners, Bob Harvie and I have supported initiatives to expand social services from mental health treatment to starting a program that partners social workers with local police officers. I also considered public safety to be a priority. As Commissioner, I have not only invested millions of funding in our local law enforcement but have taken charge of hiring human service specialists so that our police can focus on the priority of crime prevention and keeping our residents safe.

What in your experience or background prepares you for election to office?

Born and raised in Lower Makefield and a current resident of Middletown Township, I have been serving Bucks as County Commissioner since first being elected in 2007. Throughout my service as Commissioner, I have focused on increasing transparency and the expansion of human service, especially in regard to mental health treatment. In addition to my life in public service, I am a clinical social worker who has worked for over two decades with children and families in Bucks County. With these experiences, I can approach my position of Commissioner with a humanistic approach with a focus on the needs of all Bucks County residents.