Politicians — incumbents and challengers — addressed members of the Southern Chester County Chamber of Commerce during the chamber’s annual luncheon. Each speaker was limited to five minutes.
Some, such as Elizabeth Moro who’s challenging state Rep. Craig Williams, and Christian Luna, challenging state Rep. John Lawrence, were invited but did not attend. Moro and Luna are both Democrats. Other politicians, state Sen. John Kane, stayed for the meal but left before addressing the members
Williams, the Republican who’s been representing the 160th Legislative District since 2021, said he could talk about bipartisan measures he’s supported in his two terms but went on to say he felt it was more important for members of the business community to learn more about who he is, how he thinks and how he processes information. He said part of how he thinks and processes comes from his 30 years in the U.S. Marine Corps. He is a retired colonel.
Williams told the chamber members that he began his military career on flight status, then went to law school and became a lawyer in the corps, and a federal prosecutor after leaving active duty.
He didn’t talk about issues, but rather how he approaches his job as a state representative.
“I wake up every single morning and ask myself two questions just as I did as a marine officer: What do my people need today and how did I do yesterday? Can I do it a little bit better today? And by that I specifically mean setting a good example for my kids and for your kids.”
That also includes how he leads, how he addresses his colleagues, and how he solves problems.
“Losing or winning an election is not a defining moment in my life. Serving is,” he said.
While Kane did not speak, his Republican challenger for the Ninth Senatorial District Mike Woodin did. He introduced himself as a husband, father, businessman, and community leader.
“I’m not a politician. I have a background in business and finance. I have a background in advocating for my community.”
In 2005, he said, he graduated from the University of Delaware with degrees in accounting and management information systems. He also has certification as an accountant and has managed budgets in excess of $200 million.
“I’m a businessman who understands the complexities and dynamics of businesses, both large and small. I understand the pressures that businesses face day in and day out, and I understand how to be a player at the table.”
Incumbent state Rep. Christina Sappey, a Democrat representing the 158th Legislative District. She is her third term.
Sappey spoke of her love for the Southern Chester County region and how she and her husband raised their family of five in ChesCo.
“The issues that impact us in our daily lives are the issues that I roll my sleeves up for,” she said. “What does that look like today? Two years ago, we were just beginning to emerge from the pandemic and had many challenges. Some challenges remain but I believe we’re taking significant steps forward in making our state a place where people can afford to live in, and employers want to come to.”
She said she supported a reduction in the states net corporate income tax, and that the rate will continue to drop until it reaches 4.9 percent. Sappey added that she also wants the state to conform with federal law that increases the cap on net operating losses.
Sappey’s challenger is Republican Tina Ayala, a newcomer to the political scene. She said this is her first time running for political office.
She told the crowd that she has more than 20 years of experience in the banking and mortgage industry, working her way up from marketing to underwriting. Ayala also made a point about her ethnicity and political views.
“My family is Hispanic. Don’t fall off your seats. I’m an Hispanic conservative. We do exist. I’m grateful for that,” she said.
Ayala credits her mother for instilling her with a strong work ethic and her grandmother with the idea that “It doesn’t matter how much you have, it’s what we do with [what you] have [that determines] how far you can go.”
She said she’s fortunate to have come as far as she has and that he hopes today’s children have the opportunities to succeed.
“It doesn’t matter where you come from; it doesn’t matter how much money you have; it doesn’t matter what your family status is. We literally live in the best country this world has.”
About Rich Schwartzman
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
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