The Pennsylvania State Nurses Association, representing more than 218,000 registered nurses (RNs) in the Commonwealth, congratulates the candidates elected in the 2014 midterm election who have proven to be advocates for a stronger health care system and improved patient care. Based on race outcomes to date, 95 percent of the PSNA Political Action Committee (PSNA-PAC) endorsed candidates will be serving in the Pennsylvania General Assembly when it convenes in December 2014.

“We look forward to working with this bi-partisan group of legislators in progressing health policy in Harrisburg,” stated PSNA Chief Executive Officer Betsy M. Snook, MEd, BSN, RN. “Additionally, PSNA applauds the election of registered nurse Judy Ward (R-80). This appointment marks the first RN in the State House in just under a decade.”

PSNA-PAC-endorsed candidates elected to the Pennsylvania General Assembly include incumbents Patrick Harkins – D-1, Ms. Judy Ward (RN) – R-80, Flo Fabrizio – D-2, Jaret Gibbons – D-10, Ed Gainey – D-24, Steve Santarsiero – D-31, Marc Gergely – D-35, Harry Readshaw – D-36, Pamela Snyder – D-50, Ted Harhai – D-58, Kevin Schreiber – D-95, Mike Sturla – D-96, Patty Kim – D-103, Sid Kavulich – D-114, Gerald Mullery – D-119, Neal Goodman – D-123, Mark Rozzi – D-126, Thomas Caltagirone – D-127, Daniel McNeill – D-133, Robert Freeman – D-136,  Madeline Dean – D-153, Steve McCarter – D-154, Brendan Boyle – D-170, Kevin Boyle – D-172, W. Curtis Thomas – D-181, Brian Sims – D-182, Pamela DeLissio – D-194, Stephen Kinsey – D-201, Brian Ellis – R-11, Gene DiGirolamo – R-18, Tim Hennessey – R-26, Bernie O’Neill – R-29, Robert Godshall – R-53, Jeff Pyle – R-60, Kate Harper – R-61, Donna Oberlander – R-63, Mathew Baker – R-68, Matt Gabler – R-75, Adam Harris – R-82, Fred Keller – R-85, Mark Keller – R-86, Sheryl Delozier – R-88, Mike Regan – R-92, Stanley Saylor – R-94, Mauree Gingrich – R-101, Susan Helm – R-104, Ron Marsico – R-105, John Payne – R-106, David Millard – R-109, Tarah Toohil – R-116, Karen Boback – R-117, Mike Tobash – R-125, Mark Gillen – R-128, Jim Cox – R-129, David Maloney – R-130, Frank Farry – R-142, Marguerite Quinn – R-143, Katharine Watson – R-144, Mike Vereb – R-150, Todd Stephens – R-151, Thomas Murt – R-152, Stephen Barrar – R-160, Joe Hackett – R-161, William Adolph – R-165, Kerry Benninghoff – R-171, Scott Petri – R-178, Julie Harhart – R-183 and Seth Grove – R-196. There were also races won in the Pennsylvania State Senate by PSNA-PAC candidates including Mario Scavello – R- 40, Michele Brooks – R-50, Tommy Tomlinson – R-6, Chuck McIllhinney – R-10, Stewart Greenleaf – R-12, John Yudichak – D-14, Pat Browne – R-16, John Blake – D-22, John Rafferty – R-44, Mike Folmer – R-48, Lisa Baker – R-20, Jake Corman – R-34, Randy Vulakovich – R-38.

PSNA looks forward to working with lawmakers to affect positive change by advancing issues important to nurses and patients.