Two candidates are on Tuesday’s general election ballot seeking to represent District 176 in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Incumbent Jack Rader, a Republican, will be challenged by Hope Christman, a Democrat.

District 176 includes parts of Monroe County, specifically the townships of Chestnuthill, Eldred, Hamilton, Jackson, Polk, Ross, Tobyhanna, and Tunkhannock.

Rank-and-file legislators in Pennsylvania had an annual salary of $106,422.23 in 2024, according to the Pennsylvania Bulletin.

The Times News asked each candidate the same set of questions. Their answers are printed below. Answers were limited to 100 words per question.

Jack Rader

Party: Republican

Hometown: Reeders

Background: Current state representative; former Jackson Township supervisor; small business owner; husband, father and grandfather.

1. What is the biggest issue facing the district and how would you address it?

Inflation caused by Washington’s overspending and the challenges it is placing on workers, families and our seniors. While I cannot control what Washington does from Harrisburg, I can continue my work to bring fiscal responsibility to state government that controls spending, makes sure the state lives within its means and promotes economic and job growth. This is the key to fighting inflation.

2. Pennsylvania has been focusing on economic growth and attracting new industries. What specific steps will you take to support job creation and small businesses in your district?

As I have done already, I will continue efforts to make Pennsylvania a more attractive and inviting place for employers to settle and grow. The fact is Pennsylvania is in a national competition to attract business and industry, and doing that means making our tax, regulatory and legal systems more fair and more predictable. The other primary component to attracting employers is ensuring that our education system is preparing our citizens with the tools and skills employers want by putting the focus back on the basics of today’s world: reading, writing, math, science and technology.

3. Pennsylvania’s public schools face significant disparities in funding. How do you propose addressing these inequities to ensure every student in the district has access to quality education?

As a legislator, I have always made education a top priority in the budget and, in fact, have provided record amounts of education funding. My goal is to ensure that this funding is provided in a way that is more fair to school districts and taxpayers. We must end the hold harmless provision to reflect the changing school enrollment numbers in growing school districts like ours. We must also use auditable data for funding formulas and increase accountability to take politics out of funding decisions. Simply asking more money from taxpayers without accountability is not a solution.

4. Mental health crises, particularly among youth, have been rising across the state. How will you ensure that mental health services are adequately funded and accessible?

The accessibility of all health care services — including mental health — is something that all Pennsylvanians are concerned with, especially those in rural areas that have been impacted by health care professional shortages and cuts to services if not outright closing of health care facilities. As state representative, I have — and will continue — to work with health care professionals and providers to find ways to address these issues, including programs that attract health care providers to our state, make health care services more accessible through the use of technology and provide rural service providers with the support they need.

5. Affordable housing is a pressing issue across Pennsylvania. How will you address housing affordability and support first-time homebuyers in your district?

Much of the issue with housing affordability is due to Washington’s failed policies resulting in higher interest rates and inflation. We must — as I have done — ensure that Pennsylvania is fiscally responsible. We cannot begin big-spending programs that purport to help homebuyers through “grants” but only make affordability issues worse as sellers increase their prices due to a flood of “free money.” The state can work to increase supply by encouraging the revitalization of downtrodden properties and reclamation of brown sites across the state. This will also help bring back communities that have faced downturn and preserve current open spaces.

Hope Christman

Party: Democrat

Hometown: Effort

Background: Thirty-five years experience in community and human services, 15 years experience as a social worker in community social work, domestic violence and sexual assault, youth behavioral health, geriatric behavioral health, skilled nursing and hospice. Small business owner, artist, coach, concealed carry permit holder, motorcyclist. Proud parent and grandparent. Mom to a variety of pets. Undergrad from East Stroudsburg University, master’s in social work from Marywood University.

1. What is the biggest issue facing the district and how would you address it?

The number one concern of everyone I speak to is money. Whether it is the cost of daily living (food, gas), low wages, high taxes or anything in between, I hear you; I am you. I will passionately support my community toward financial stability for a better quality of life for all.

A big concern of residents of the 176th is their opposition of large warehouse facilities and commercial solar fields in residential communities. Although mostly a local government issue, I support this initiative, and as a state representative, I would be outwardly outspoken in their support.

2. Pennsylvania has been focusing on economic growth and attracting new industries. What specific steps will you take to support job creation and small businesses in your district?

“Mom and Pop” businesses are the heart of a community, yet these smaller businesses usually receive the least amount of support from the state level. I support incentives at the state level to encourage growth of smaller businesses. In a recent conversation with a small-business owner, it was stated that some local zoning regulations seem antiquated; therefore, I would also encourage local government to review how they work with small businesses to promote growth. I also support “space sharing” so individuals starting a business can share office space or another facility until they are solely financially sustainable.

3. Pennsylvania’s public schools face significant disparities in funding. How do you propose addressing these inequities to ensure every student in the district has access to quality education?

I support HB 2370, which calls for fair funding for our school districts. Monroe County schools are the bottom four districts for state funding, which also means higher taxes for homeowners. This bill, unsupported by my opponent and now sitting in the Senate, would see an increase in funding for Monroe County schools to ensure that teachers have the tools they need to give our students a quality education. It also provides tax relief for homeowners in 169 school districts, including all four Monroe County school districts.

4. Mental health crises, particularly among youth, have been rising across the state. How will you ensure that mental health services are adequately funded and accessible?

As a social worker, mental health is important to me for all people, not just students. Dr. Val Arkoosh, secretary of Human Services to the governor, recently outlined the governor’s mental health initiatives, which are on-point and long overdue. I support bringing back teletherapy as a viable Medicaid service, as many students and families are no longer able to access services due to financial constraints. I’ve been supportive of school social workers for decades. Now that schools are beginning to include this profession, we need to make sure we have proper staffing per district.

5. Affordable housing is a pressing issue across Pennsylvania. How will you address housing affordability and support first-time homebuyers in your district?

I support HB 1316 (nay vote from my opponent), which mirrors a similar SB (which received unanimous support) that allocates additional funds from Pa.’s “rainy day fund” to the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability Enhancement Fund (PHARE), which provides grants to municipalities to build and repair homes, and provide rental assistance to low income families. I support a long overdue housing summit between lawmakers, builders, aid agencies and business organizations to work together toward a housing solution. I would support housing bills that balance allowing multifamily units in single unit zoning, with open space and conservation.