PA House primary preview: Chester and Lancaster

As we enter the final hours of the 2024 Pennsylvania presidential primary cycle, PoliticsPA takes a look at two races in Chester and Lancaster counties in HD-13 and HD-100.

CHESTER COUNTY

13th State House Legislative District
John Lawrence (R) vs. Carmela Ciliberti (R)

Lawrence, a seven-time incumbent, faces a primary challenge from a familiar foe, as Ciliberti also ran against him in 2022. The winner will likely meet Cristian Luna in the fall.

John Lawrence

• Party. Republican
• Residence. London Grove Township
• Experience. State Representative.
• House Assignments. Agriculture & Rural Affairs; Appropriations; Professional Licensure; Rules.
• Top Priorities. Control government spending and limit state debt. Cut our highest in the nation business taxes and make our regulatory system fair and consistent to make PA competitive with other states. Support educational options for parents – public, charter, private, parochial, and home schools. Require Voter ID – at the polls or by absentee ballot.
• Last Election (2022). Defeated David Cunningham, 59-41%, in general election
• Endorsements.
• Quotable. “I will always put the interests of the people first, working hard to ensure a brighter future for our state.”
• Education. B.S, Penn State University
• Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Vote411 Voter Guide 
• Campaign Finance Report (from 1/1/2024 thru 4/8/2024)
  • Raised: $14,421.78 | Spent: $18,217.62 | Cash On Hand: $26,755.50

Carmela Ciliberti

• Party. Republican
• Residence. New London
• Experience. Attorney
• Top Priorities. School Choice: Tax Dollars Follow Students. Voter ID & Signature Verification. Eliminate Sanctuary Cities & Counties. Slash State Regulations & Bureaucracy.
• Last Election (2022). Lost to John Lawrence, 63-37%, in primary election.
• Endorsements.
• Quotable. “I am offering a constitutional conservative option to the voters in my district in contrast to the representation we have had over the last several years.”
• Education. B.S, Lancaster Bible College. J.D, Villanova University
• Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Vote411 Voter Guide 
• Campaign Finance Report (from 1/1/2024 thru 3/31/2024)
  • N/A

District composition: Part of CHESTER County consisting of the TOWNSHIPS of East Nottingham, Elk, Franklin, Highland, London Britain, London Grove, Londonderry, Lower Oxford, New London, Penn, Upper Oxford, West Fallowfield and West Nottingham and the BOROUGHS of Oxford and West Grove.

LANCASTER COUNTY

100th State House Legislative District
Bryan Cutler (R) vs. Dave Nissley (R)

Cutler, the Republican leader in the House, is facing a serious challenge from Nissley, a newcomer to politics.

Bryan Cutler

• Party. Republican
• Residence. Drumore Township
• Experience. Republican House Minority Leader. State Representative.
• House Assignments. Rules chair. Committee on Committees.
• Top Priorities. Supports efforts to reduce Pennsylvania’s highest in the nation corporate income tax to make state more attractive to job creators; give parents a stronger voice in their children’s curriculum; tougher penalties for criminals who use guns – not infringements on the rights of law-abiding gun owners.
• Last Election (2022). Defeated Anne Weston, 70-30%, in primary election
• Endorsements. Lancaster County GOP.
• Quotable. “I am honored that so many colleagues, individuals, and groups have stepped up to defend my record of conservative results.”
• Education. B.S, Lebanon Valley College; J.D. Widener University.
• Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Vote411 Voter Guide 
• Campaign Finance Report (from 1/1/2024 thru 4/8/2024)
  • Raised: $164,840.93 | Spent: $188,546.02 | Cash On Hand: $47,454.83

Dave Nissley

• Party. Republican
• Residence. Sadsbury Township
• Experience. Vintage Landscaping owner. Deacons, Chestnut Church
• Top Priorities. Put control of children’s education in the hands of their parents, where it belongs. Protect all life, especially the innocent, the children, the defenseless, and the unborn. Eliminate and replace the outdated property tax system for funding education. 100% supporter of the 2nd amendment.
• Endorsements. Gun Owners of America.
• Quotable. “I am committed to offering my own sweat, hard work, and financial means to this campaign. We will work tirelessly with you to keep this great Republic that we have inherited.”
• Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Vote411 Voter Guide 
• Campaign Finance Report (from 1/1/2024 thru 4/8/2024)
  • Raised: $80,023.56 | Spent: $70,933.12 | Cash On Hand: $26,525.82
  • Debts and Obligations: $20,000

District Composition: Part of LANCASTER County consisting of the TOWNSHIPS of Bart, Colerain, Drumore, East Drumore, Eden, Fulton, Little Britain, Martic, Paradise, Providence, Sadsbury, Salisbury (PART, Districts Gap and White Horse) and Strasburg and the BOROUGHS of Christiana, Quarryville and Strasburg.