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QUOTE OF NOTE: "We want to carry the Republican agenda, the Republican ideas, and prove to the nation that our way is the best way. "
GEORGE GEKAS (R) District 17 (South Central--Harrisburg)
BORN: April 14, 1930, Harrisburg EDUCATION: Dickinson College, B.A., 1952; Dickinson School of Law, LL.B., 1958, J.D., 1958 FAMILY: Wife, Evangeline Charas RELIGION: Greek Orthodox MILITARY: Army, 1953-55 OCCUPATION: Lawyer POLITICAL CAREER: Pennsylvania House, 1967-75; Republican nominee for Pennsylvania House, 1974; Pennsylvania Senate, 1977-82; U.S. House 1982- ADDRESS: Suite 203, 4800 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg 17112. Tel.: 717-540-8844
The 17th District contains some of the most fertile farmland in the world. It also nurtures G.O.P. politicians--Republicans held the governorship for all but eight years between 1860 and 1934--and Gekas has not won with less than 70% of the vote since he was elected with 58% in 1982. The Democrats did not even field a candidate against him in 1988, 1990 or 1994.
THE ISSUES
Budget YES Medicare YES Defense YES Abortion YES Guns NO Gays YES Bosnia NO NAFTA YES Welfare YES Medical Leave NO (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "The people on death row should be given one chance and one chance alone, not 11 years' worth of chances to fight their death sentence."
PAUL KETTL (D) District 17
BORN: July 15, 1954, Philadelphia EDUCATION: Johns Hopkins U, B.A., 1976; Temple U, M.D., 1980 FAMILY: Wife, Kathleen Fisher; three children RELIGION: Roman Catholic MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Psychiatrist POLITICAL CAREER: Sought Democratic nomination for U.S. House, 1994 ADDRESS: 434 Sunrise Boulevard, Elizabethtown 17022. Tel.: 717-367-1213
A long shot against a Republican juggernaut, Kettl has a distinctly different view of one of his opponent's bread-and-butter issues: capital punishment. He believes that fighting crime is important and that violence is epidemic, but as a psychiatrist, Kettl thinks the focus should be prevention.
THE ISSUES
Budget NO Medicare NO Defense YES Abortion NO 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 urge parents to turn the violence off and make TV viewing an interactive opportunity for their family. Television serves as a powerful base for our culture. We should give it the respect and attention it deserves."
MIKE DOYLE (D) District 18 (Pittsburgh suburbs; Clairton; McKeesport)
BORN: Aug. 5, 1953, Pittsburgh EDUCATION: Pennsylvania State U, B.S., 1975 FAMILY: Wife, Susan; four children RELIGION: Roman Catholic MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Insurance-company executive; state legislative aide POLITICAL CAREER: Swissvale Borough Council, 1977-81; U.S. House, 1994- ADDRESS: P.O. Box 17426, Pittsburgh 15235. Tel.: 412-244-9101
The 18th District is home to advanced medical-research facilities and world-renowned hospitals, and Doyle spent much of his freshman term safeguarding those interests. A 1992 convert to Democrat--he was chief of staff to a Republican state Senator for 14 years--he also cast an occasional nonpartisan vote, like supporting the G.O.P.-sponsored balanced-budget amendment.
THE ISSUES