Election 2024: Republican Kristin Marcell For 178th State Rep.

Candidates running in the Nov. 5 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 —Incumbent Republican Kristin Marcell is running for election for state representative in the 178th Legislative District against Democratic Paul Lang in the Nov. 5 general election. Information.

Biographical Information

Name: Kristin Marcell
Age: 46
Town of Residence: Wrightstown
Position Sought: State Representative – 178th District
Education: Penn State University (BA); George Washington University (Master’s)
Are you an incumbent? Yes
Party Affiliation: Republican
Occupation: State Representative; Communications Professional

Questions

What is the top issue facing the Commonwealth and how would you address it?

Inflation caused by Washington over-spending. While I cannot control Washington’s spending from the state House in Harrisburg, I can do exactly what I have done in the State House: make sure that Pennsylvania’s budget is focused on our priorities – education and public safety chief among them – and does not spend more than taxpayers can afford; stop tax increases; and, promote policies that harness PA energy to control utility costs.

Why are you running for State Rep.?

I am proud of the bipartisan record I have built in my first term – authoring and/or passing laws to help make it easier for families to save for college, to help reduce the cost of prescription drugs, to bring vitally-needed attention to the dangerous drug known as “tranq” as it invades our neighborhoods, to address “porch piracy,” and to deliver record funding to education. But even with those successes, there is still more to be accomplished for our community and our state. I would like to return to Harrisburg and continue to bring my proven, results-oriented approach to addressing the issues we all care about.

What can you do to keep crime from seeping into the suburbs?

“Crime creep” is an issue we are all concerned with and the best way to address it is to continue supporting law enforcement as I have done, and continue to ensure that criminals receive the punishment they deserve – which also acts as a deterrent. I am proud that this year I am endorsed by our local Bucks County Fraternal Order of Police and the PA State Troopers’ Association because of my cooperative work with them to address public safety.

What can you do to increase funding for our local school districts?

As Representative, I have worked hard to focus the state budget on our top priorities, education among them. The result is an historic investment in education (traditional, career and technical, higher) than ever before. We can continue to invest in education, but must also look at the “expense” side of the ledger instead of simply asking more of taxpayers; that is, where can we improve accountability, outcomes, and efficiencies? What we must always remember is that “education funding” – whether at the local or state level – all comes from taxpayer money,
and taxpayers do not have an endless supply.

What are your ideas for improving our state roads?

We must better utilize the money collected for infrastructure needs on the pressing infrastructure needs of our community (from bridge repair and replacement to road repair and improvements.) We must also streamline the improvement/repair process to reduce overall costs and ensure collected gas tax revenues are not siphoned off to pay for other things.

The 178th Legislative District includes Warwick, Wrightstown, Upper Southampton and parts of Northampton Township.