Election 2023: Democrat Robert Harvie 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 Robert Harvie 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 Ellis-Marseglia and Republicans Gene DiGirolamo and Pamela Van Blunk.

Biographical Information

Name: Bob Harvie

Age: 52
Town of residence: Falls
Position sought: County Commissioner
Are you an incumbent? Yes
Party affiliation: Democrat
Family: Proud parent of two.
Education: George Washington University in Washington, D.C., graduating magna cum laude
with a bachelor's degree in history and a master's degree in education from Holy Family University.
Occupation: County Commissioner

Questions

1. Why are you running?

To continue the progress we have made as the majority Commissioners by improving livability in Bucks County by investing in smart economic development, keeping Bucks County safe, and continuing to expand services for our residents while also balancing our county budget. Families deserve safe neighborhoods, seniors should be able to stay in their homes while our children should be able to afford a home of their own, and our businesses should have the support they need to help them grow. It is my belief that the job of government should be to make life easier, not harder. If I’m fortunate enough to be reelected for another term as County Commissioner, I will continue to build upon the progress we have made in the last three years by promoting economic growth, investing in our law enforcement and the safety of our communities, and protecting our elections.

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

I consider some of the most pressing issues facing Bucks County to be economic challenges, keeping our communities safe, and maintaining free and fair elections. For three years, our Democratic majority has successfully balanced the budget without raising taxes. We have invested an additional $1 million into our law enforcement and implemented smart-on crime prevention strategies by expanding addiction treatment programs to get non-violent offenders the help they need and establishing the Co-Responder’s Program. During our administration, violent crime has dropped. I have also protected our elections from corruption and disenfranchisement of our voters by expanding access to drop boxes and increasing our voter education in regard to mail-in voting.

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

My entire life has been centered around how I can serve my community, and that can be seen through my past experiences as a public school teacher and my service in Falls Township. I have a record as County Commissioner of fulfilling the promises I made when I first ran back in 2019. We promised Buck’s residents that we would balance the county budget without raising taxes, and that is exactly what we have done. With a Democratic majority among the County Commissioners, there has been so much progress, and I am ready to continue to build upon it.