(16 of 16)
BORN: June 10, 1956, Erie EDUCATION: Harvard U, A.B., 1979; Georgetown U, J.D., 1982 FAMILY: Wife, Monica RELIGION: Roman Catholic MILITARY: Marines, 1974-76 OCCUPATION: Lawyer POLITICAL CAREER: Sought Democratic nomination for U.S. House, 1994 ADDRESS: P.O. Box 3538, Erie 16508. Tel.: 814-452-2089
The two candidates are both Erie natives born in 1956--just 10 days apart. Beyond that, DiNicola has tried to be as different from Phil English as possible, portraying him as a Gingrich clone who supports extreme budget cuts at the expense of environmental protection, student loans and Medicare. DiNicola promises to be a compassionate lawmaker who will limit government but not at the expense of children, the elderly and the disabled. In a district that elected English with a margin of 4,643 votes, Democrats sense an opportunity in this election.
THE ISSUES
Budget NO Medicare NO Defense YES Abortion YES Guns NR Gays YES Bosnia NO NAFTA NO Welfare NR Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "I believe that America must invest in its children if we are to remain competitive."
PHIL ENGLISH (R) District 21
BORN: June 20, 1956, Erie EDUCATION: U of Pennsylvania, B.A., 1979 FAMILY: Wife, Christiane Weschler RELIGION: Roman Catholic MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: State legislative aide POLITICAL CAREER: Erie County controller, 1986-89; U.S. House, 1994- ADDRESS: P.O. Box 1940, Erie 16507. Tel.: 814-864-9984
A distinguished freshman-year record may not be enough to get English re-elected. In a blue-collar district that is predictably neither Democratic nor Republican, he fights resistance from the Democratic National Committee and the AFL-CIO for his support of the Contract with America and the G.O.P. plan to reform Medicare. He needs to persuade voters that his loyalty to them outweighs his devotion to a Republican fiscal agenda.
THE ISSUES
Budget YES Medicare YES Defense NO Abortion YES Guns NR Gays NR Bosnia YES NAFTA NR Welfare YES Medical Leave NR (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "The Republican Party will be an enduring majority only if it can pitch its message to a lot of people who have not traditionally been comfortable with [us]...We cannot be the party of privilege."