Election 2022: Democrat Perry Warren For State Representative

Candidates running in the Nov. 8 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.

NEWTOWN, PA —Democratic incumbent Perry Warren is running as the Democratic incumbent for state representative in the 31st Legislative District against Republican Bernie Sauer in the Nov. 8 general election.

Name: Perry Warren

Age: 59

Town of residence: Newtown Borough

Position sought: State Representative, House District 31

Are you an incumbent? Yes. I was elected in 2016, and re-elected in 2018 and 2020.

What Towns Does Your District Cover? Lower Makefield Township, Newtown Borough, Newtown Township, Upper Makefield Township, Yardley.

Party affiliation: Democratic

Family: Married to Liz; children, Charles, Molly, Peter, Rebecca and Anna Belle.

Education: Colgate University, B.A., cum laude, with Honors in International Relations and a Minor in Economics; University of North Carolina School of Law, J.D. with Honors and the American Jurisprudence Award in Constitutional Law.

Occupation: State Representative, Attorney and Business Owner.

What are the top issues currently facing your district and how do you plan to address them?

Economy, Education, Environment. High quality, safe, affordable education, from pre-K through college.

Quality, affordable health care - I have cosponsored legislation to ensure pre-existing condition insurance coverage and affordable prescription medicines. Community and gun safety, including bills I have introduced - universal background checks, safe storage of firearms, and no fly, no buy.

Preserving our environment, ensuring clean air and water, addressing climate change, and waste reduction including my water bottle bill, part of the "zero waste" package.

A prosperous, fair economy, creating jobs, increasing the minimum wage, anti-discrimination legislation, child care, and pre-k education, transportation and infrastructure improvement, and ensuring the opportunity and ability to succeed for all.

Identify specific goals or ideas you have to enhance life in your district:

As your state representative, enhancing life in our communities has been the top priority. As a member of the House Transportation Committee, I worked with PennDOT to move up the repaving of Big Oak Road and Yardley’s Main Street and advocated for road maintenance and improvements throughout our communities.

I obtained pedestrian safety grants and am working with residents to improve pedestrian safety. My district office helps seniors with SEPTA passes, and I strive for improved, accessible, and affordable public transportation.

I introduced Kayden's Law to ensure that the best interest of the child will be the top priority in child custody. I have introduced gun safety legislation, including universal background checks and safe storage, and I supported and voted for Safe2Say to keep our schools safe. As a member of Newtown Borough Council before my election to the State House, I helped draft and supported bipartisan budgets funding our local police. I introduced the Flood Insurance Premium Task Force bill which would help reduce flooding risk and costs, and the commuter toll tax credit bill.

I voted for a state budget with record state funding for education, which will help relieve the burden on local property taxes. I have worked to obtain state grants for our schools, our police departments, and our emergency services and will continue to work to enhance life in our communities.

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

I have been your state representative, working for our communities, for six years. I have been a business owner since I was 19 years old. I'm married to Liz, who I met a year later, and we have five children. I co-founded and co-owned a law firm that grew and created jobs.

I was twice elected to and served on Newtown Borough Council and learned the needs of our communities. I believe in a government that can work for the people. Achieving these goals means working with state and local representatives from different parties and different parts of Pennsylvania.

I introduced and worked with rural Republicans and urban Democrats to pass bills ending child marriage, updating local liquor referendum law, and enacting emergency measures to sustain the economy. I listen to our residents, read every email and letter, and strive to represent and reflect the values of our communities in Harrisburg and here at home. I represent all our residents, and I am excited and honored to continue to Work for You as your state representative.