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In the Fourth, where workers are still suffering from the crumbling of heavy industry in the '80s, Klink, a former news anchor, is a staunch supporter of labor--which made him an equally die-hard opponent of NAFTA--and a proponent of legislation prohibiting employers from permanently replacing workers who strike because of wages, benefits or working conditions. So far, his blue-collar constituents have returned the favors.
THE ISSUES
Budget NO Medicare NO Defense YES Abortion YES Guns NO 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: "Just like that four-year-old child with a sweet tooth, the Republicans are at it again, reaching back in that cookie jar, trying to grab Medicare cuts, Medicaid cuts, education cuts. Tax cuts for the wealthy is what they are going to balance it with."
JOHN PETERSON (R) District 5 (Northwest, central--State College)
BORN: Dec. 25, 1938, Titusville EDUCATION: Titusville High School, 1956 FAMILY: Wife, Saundra; one child RELIGION: Methodist MILITARY: Army Reserve, 1958-64 OCCUPATION: Supermarket owner POLITICAL CAREER: Pleasantville Borough Council, 1969-77; Pennsylvania House, 1977-85; Pennsylvania Senate, 1985- ADDRESS: P.O. Box 295, Pleasantville 16341. Tel.: 814-589-7622
Peterson runs in a traditionally Republican district for a seat being vacated by nine-term G.O.P. incumbent Bill Clinger. The son of a steel worker, Peterson opened a grocery store with his brother in 1958 and maintained it until 1984, when he decided to become a politician. He also wants lower taxes and a balanced budget. And with the endorsement of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Peterson is a solid candidate.
THE ISSUES
Budget YES Medicare NR Defense NR Abortion YES Guns NO Gays NO Bosnia YES NAFTA NR Welfare YES Medical Leave NO (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "While I was in business, duty called to serve on the borough council. I accepted that challenge and found out you could make a difference."
RUTH RUDY (D) District 5
BORN: Jan. 3, 1938, Millheim EDUCATION: Carnegie Institute, 1955-56; Pennsylvania State U, 1969-73 FAMILY: Husband, Guy; three children RELIGION: Methodist MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Small-business owner POLITICAL CAREER: Centre County Clerk of Courts, 1976-82; Pennsylvania House, 1983- ADDRESS: 141 East High Street, Bellefonte 16823. Tel.: 814-353-0420
Rudy's "odd jobs" campaign--she worked odd jobs all around the district to raise her name recognition--made headlines, but even her authorship of Pennsylvania's "three-strikes" law may not win over voters who went convincingly for George Bush in 1992. Still, Rudy's 13 years as a state legislator make her a known and popular quantity in central and northwestern Pennsylvania.
THE ISSUES
Budget NO Medicare NO Defense YES Abortion NO Guns NO Gays YES Bosnia NO NAFTA NO Welfare YES Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "Our concern is, if we can keep people with good jobs [in the district], we can keep our own business going too."
TIM HOLDEN (D) District 6 (Southeast--Reading)