On April 23, there will be a special election for the 139th district in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, as well as a primary election.
All voters — Republican, Democratic and Independent — who live in the district* can vote in the special election, choosing between Democrat Robin Skibber and Republican Jeff Olsommer. The winner will serve through the end of this year, completing the term of Joe Adams who resigned earlier this year.
In addition, on the same day, all registered Republicans can vote in the primary election to chose either Olsommer or Matt Contreras to be their party’s nominee on the November ballot. The winner of the April 23 primary contest will face Skibber in November; the winner in November will serve as state representative for 2025 and 2026.
Unfortunately, Jeff Olsommer — the candidate chosen by the Pike and Wayne County Republican Committees for the special election — has declined to participate in the League of Women Voters’ candidate forum.
Voters should question why a candidate asking for votes from the public will not even appear at a non-partisan candidate forum. Perhaps Olsommer is afraid to appear at a public event where both his Democratic opponent in the special election — Robin Skibber — as well as his Republican opponent in the primary — Matt Contreras — will be present?
But no matter the reason, it is bad for democracy when candidates refuse to face the voters. If he won’t participate in such an event now, how responsive and communicative is he likely to be if he gets elected? No matter what party or office, elected officials should embrace the opportunity to meet directly with voters, especially when sponsored by highly respected non-partisan civic organizations such as the League of Women Voters.
Sean Strub, Mayor
Milford Borough
*The 139th District includes residents of Matamoras and Milford Boroughs, Westfall, Dingman, Shohola, Lackawaxen, Greene, Palmyra, Milford and Blooming Grove townships in Pike County and Hawley Borough, Cherry Ridge, Dreher, Lake, Lehigh, Palmyra, Paupack, Salem, South Canaan and Sterling townships in Wayne County.