Local Dem Candidates for Spring, 2021

Teresa Caruthers, formerly Teresa Gunselman, was born and raised in Ephrata. She earned a BSN at Thomas Jefferson University and a Masters in Environmental / Occupational Health and Safety from Temple University. After 20 years with the federal government in public health positions, she earned an MS in Nursing / Nurse Practitioner and spent five years with Indian Health Service. 

She returned to Ephrata in 2010 to be available for her parents, John and Vera Gunselman. Her daughter has a landscape architect business in Manhattan.

She is running for Borough Council to build a transparent local government responsive to the needs of all Ephrata residents. She is interested in building a sustainable community with increased opportunities for youth. 

Lifelong Ephrata resident, Rebecca   Beres (mom/wife/ businesswoman) is involved in multiple business and   community organizations.

Beres understands nearly HALF of   Ephrata families are struggling financially. The Borough is QUICK to   DISCONNECT electric service, without offering practical budgeting options.   When elected, she will propose sensible repayment plans. 

Rebecca believes Operational   Transparency and Practicality is vital for the Ephrata community. Knowledge   is power. Residents should know what is

happening and how money is being   spent in order to be part of the decision-making process. Rebecca has pledged   #NoBackroomDeals. 

She will represent our families and   insist upon keeping our community well-informed. 

Timothy Craven has served a 4-year term on the Ephrata Area School District Board of Directors. He wants to provide that leadership again. Tim would work to strengthen structures that ensure people’s concerns are heard--- encouraging a culture where each student and parent is treated with respect. 

Mr. Craven supports forming an Education Consortium between public, private, and charter schools. He has been active in community service as the pastor of Mellingers Lutheran Church in Stevens since 1987. Mr. Craven has been on the Ephrata Area Social Services and LutherCare boards.  

An Ephrata native, Michael has lived in Akron with his family for almost five years. He has a degree in Digital Forensics & Criminal Justice (Minor) from Bloomsburg University. As a Security & Compliance executive, he is no stranger to governance and politics.

Michael was appointed to Akron Council in March and has already leveraged his unique background to help improve Borough transparency via a new website that will allow Akron residents and Council members to get information simultaneously. He is dedicated to removing communication barriers and fostering community.  

 Why is he running for mayor? It's simple: He's loved this community since a young age and wants to see his town grow. He went to school in Ephrata, works in a local market, and actively represents the kind of mayor he hopes to become. He's attending the PA College of Health Sciences and is majoring in Surgical Technology. He cares very much about health care in the community, which is why he wants to tackle water toxicity in his campaign.   

Voting is important! We need reliable, dedicated workers at the polls to insure free and fair elections. 

I have been a poll greeter for many years and am ready to step up and take on the responsibility for running our polling place so that all eligible voters may participate in our democracy.

A lifelong resident of Pennsylvania, first in her family to attend college, single mom, lawyer, judge and appellate judge, Maria McLaughlin personifies the meaning of hard work. She clerked for the President Judge of the Superior Court, where she is
now a member. 

In 2017, Judge McLaughlin led the nine-candidates ticket statewide for a seat on the Superior Court. She often speaks for groups from high schools to the Pennsylvania Bar Association. Nothing is more important to Maria than family. She and her husband treasure their blended family, sharing six adult children and four grandchildren. 

     Born and raised in West Philadelphia,   Judge Lane became a lawyer after a successful teaching career. She has   represented clients in various family law areas of family. Timika served as   an Indigent Adults and Juveniles defense attorney in Philadelphia’s criminal   justice system. 

She was the Executive Director for the PA   Senate Government Committee challenging restrictive Photo ID law, organizing   rallies and drafting legislation to protect minority and senior rights. Judge   Lane was elected to the PA Court of Common Pleas in 2013. She received a   rating of “Recommended” for Superior Court by the Pennsylvania Bar   Association in 2021. 

 Amanda is running for Commonwealth Court because she knows the importance of judicial integrity. She is a precision-driven attorney who works for working families. She was raised in a hard-working family. During her first year of law school, she worked 3 part-time jobs to keep up with the bills. 

“Many former prosecutors and corporate attorneys have become judges with limited experience in public interest law. I have the experience in this critical area for the Commonwealth Court. As a union member, an attorney, and a conscientious citizen, my contribution to the court will be exemplary. I will continue to work for the good of all PA citizens.”

  Lancaster County last had a choice for County Controller 20 years ago. You do in 2021. Choose Chris Hess. A lifelong county resident, he loves the area and cares about its people. Mr. Hess will put people first, not private interests. He will be transparent, honest, and say what he means.

As controller, Chris will put these principles into action. He’ll see that more of our tax dollars stay here by fighting for policies that invest dollars locally. Chris Hess is the better choice for Lancaster County Controller. A vote for Chris ensures Lancaster County will have a controller who represents the interests of its residents. 

I am running as a write-in candidate for the office of Recorder of Deeds! Competition in the political marketplace is good for the community. Democratic values need to be represented in our county government, too. My life experience makes me qualified to hold this position and I will do my best to serve the people. 

Write-in Dominic Castaldi on May 18.