MEET PAT STEFANO

A lifelong resident of the district, Pat was the third generation to run the family printing company prior to his election to the State Senate. In the legislature, Pat has taken the commonsense values of our community – and the skills that come from creating local jobs, meeting a payroll, and controlling budgets – to Harrisburg. His unwavering support for local families and our workers is unmatched. His willingness to fight for our jobs and the small businesses and job-creators who created them has earned Pat the National Federation of Independent Businesses’ (NFIB) top recognition of “Guardian of Small Business” and placed him among CCAP’s top ranked PA State Senators for his support of our conservative values.

“As a longtime small businessman, I understand one of the best ways to improve the quality of life for local residents is to grow the economy and ensure access to good paying jobs. We need safe roads and bridges, reliable high-speed internet in every community and policies that encourage employers to expand and create jobs right here in Pennsylvania. Our small businesses and job-creators do not need burdensome regulations like the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) that Governor Wolf entered through executive order because this failed policy would never pass the legislature. I will continue to oppose the Governor when he is wrong at every turn in order to put Pennsylvania’s jobs and workers first.”

Protecting the constitutional rights of sportsmen and law-abiding gun owners continues to be an important priority for Pat during a time when Governor Wolf seems determined to restrict Second Amendment rights while coddling criminals. He believes the Governor’s unconstitutional restrictions are just another attempt to put his liberal agenda before the people of Pennsylvania. Pat believes the United States Constitution is very clear when affirming our Second Amendment rights when it says ‘…the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.’ That’s why he introduced legislation to extend the self-defense protections afforded by the Castle Doctrine, so they are better able to protect themselves, their family, and their property. He will continue to sponsor and vote for legislation that protects and upholds the Constitutional rights of every Pennsylvanian.

“Working together with like-minded conservative legislators, I am proud of our successful efforts to stop Governor Wolf’s liberal agenda to increase taxes on working class families, enact job-crushing regulations on our energy and manufacturing sectors, impose unconstitutional mandates on our schools and restrict our Second Amendment rights. I am running for reelection because conservatives need a fighter to oppose the progressives who continue to put their radical politics before our families. With your support, you can trust that I will always work for you.”

Since being elected to the Senate, Pat has led by example on reform by refusing the defined-benefit pension and the per diems, and by driving his own car. He has worked to increase accountability among legislators by introducing a bill requiring elected officials to provide receipts in order to receive reimbursement from the state and to protect the state’s Sunshine Law.

To restore the publics’ trust, Pat has supported efforts to reform our election system. He supported a comprehensive voter rights bill designed to do just that, which passed the legislature, but was vetoed by the Governor. This bill contained commonsense measures including voter identification, tightened election deadlines, set clear standards to deal with questionable mail-in or election day ballots and established the Bureau of Election Audits.

Pat continues his involvement with local civic groups. He is a member of and served as President of the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce, and Pat is a member of the Bedford and Somerset Chambers of Commerce. Pat serves on the board of the Fay Penn Economic Development Council. He has volunteered with YMCA of the Laurel Highlands, American Heart Association, Downtown Connellsville, Boy Scout Troop 180 of Dunbar and Troop 150 of Scottdale, Rotary International, Somerset Drug Free Communities, and Junior Achievement.

Pat and his wife Erin Riggi live in Bullskin Township, Fayette County, and he is the proud father of four children, three stepsons, and three grandchildren. Pat is pro-life, pro-Second Amendment and works every day to support our conservative, hometown values in the State Senate.

As our State Senator, Pat Stefano is proud to represent the residents of the 32nd District home including all of Bedford, Fayette and Somerset counties, and Scottdale in Westmoreland County.