(12 of 16)
BORN: July 26, 1950, Bethlehem EDUCATION: Lehigh U, B.A., 1972; Georgetown U, J.D., 1977 FAMILY: Wife, Katherine Pecka; three children RELIGION: Roman Catholic MILITARY: Marines, 1972-74; Marine Corps Reserve, 1974- OCCUPATION: Lawyer; adjunct professor POLITICAL CAREER: Sought Democratic nomination for U.S. House, 1980; Pennsylvania House, 1983-91; sought Democratic nomination for Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court, 1989; U.S. House, 1992- ADDRESS: P.O. Box 1905, Bethlehem 18016. Tel.: 610-776-7285
After his re-election in 1994, by only 471 votes, McHale is on everyone's list of vulnerable incumbents. He is, however, better prepared this time--his last challenger outspent him by $100,000--and hopes to gain broad support from his voting record, his reputation as a deficit cutter and his incumbency.
THE ISSUES
Budget NO Medicare NO Defense YES Abortion YES Guns YES Gays YES Bosnia NO NAFTA NO Welfare NO* Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "After four months of budget gridlock, the last thing this Congress needs is another freshman Republican."
JAMES BLAINE (D) District 16 (Southeast--Lancaster)
BORN: April 26, 1945, Washington EDUCATION: Harvard U, B.A., 1967; U of Michigan, M.A., 1971, Ph.D., 1978 FAMILY: Wife, Joan; four children RELIGION: Episcopalian MILITARY: Army, 1967-70 OCCUPATION: Newspaper publisher POLITICAL CAREER: None ADDRESS: 641 East Baltimore Pike, Kennett Square 19348. Tel.: 610-444-1830
The last Democrat Lancaster County elected to Congress was James Buchanan, in 1828. This doesn't seem to bother Blaine, who has an eclectic political vision. He is, for example, able to find socioeconomic reasons for environmental protection and see conservation as an antidote to urban ills like crime and drugs.
THE ISSUES
Budget NR Medicare NO Defense YES Abortion NR Guns YES Gays YES Bosnia NO NAFTA YES Welfare YES Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "I believe that government has a positive role to play in our lives--and that is to provide the essential security that makes us feel safe within our borders, in our homes and on our streets, in sickness and in old age."
JOSEPH PITTS (R) District 16
BORN: Oct. 10, 1939, Lexington, Ky. EDUCATION: Asbury College, A.B., 1961; West Chester U, M.Ed., 1972 FAMILY: Wife, Virginia; three children RELIGION: Protestant MILITARY: Air Force, 1963-69 OCCUPATION: Nursery owner; teacher POLITICAL CAREER: Pennsylvania House, 1973- ADDRESS: 107 West Market Street, West Chester 19382. Tel.: 610-696-5564, 717-396-3881
G.O.P. legend Robert Walker's retirement has left the 16th open, and Pitts wants to preserve its conservative legacy. This high-profile Chester County Republican emphasizes his credentials as a Vietnam veteran, former small-business owner and 24-year state legislator. In a Republican-leaning district, that adds to his edge.
THE ISSUES
Budget YES Medicare YES Defense NO Abortion YES Guns NO Gays NO Bosnia YES NAFTA YES Welfare YES Medical Leave NO (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)