Republicans see primary race in 30th

&emsp;&emsp;With all the newly drawn election districts now in place, a wide field of candidates from both the Democratic and Republican parties are vying for primary election votes. One of the races that could impact the North Boroughs will be in the 30th State Legislative District Republican primary.&emsp;&emsp;The new 30th Legislative District now includes all of the Avonworth communities — Ben Avon, Ben Avon Heights, Emsworth, Ohio Township and Kilbuck Township — along with Franklin Park, McCandless and parts of Hampton. Two Republicans are running for their party's nomination in the primary and a chance to face off against unopposed Democrat Arvind Venkat of McCandless in the November general election.&emsp;&emsp;Neither of the candidates is a stranger to area politics. Thomas Fodi, now a resident of Kilbuck Township, is a former member of Bellevue Council who has run for several local and state offices. His opponent is Cynthia Kirk of McCandless, who has served as the area's representative to Allegheny County Council, a position she has resigned in order to run for state representative.&emsp;&emsp;Formerly an Air Force officer attached to the 911AW in Coraopolis with tours of duty in Iraq and Kuwait, Fodi currently serves as the lead pastor of The Hills Church (South Park, PA). Previously launching Dignity Home Care Professionals, which served the elderly and adults with disabilities in communities throughout the Pittsburgh area, he now serves as a chaplain in the hospice space.&emsp;&emsp;In fact, it was Fodi's experience as a hospice chaplain during the pandemic that prompted him to run for state representative, he said. "I sat at far too many bedsides holding up an iPad, so that children and grandchildren could say goodbye to their parents and grandparents because some expert in Harrisburg deemed it not safe for them to be together." He said that although he emphasizes that he "respects the severity of the threat which Covid-19 posed throughout the pandemic...taking away people's basic human rights to be together or to run their business and provide for their families should never be a card our state is allowed to play again."&emsp;&emsp;Fodi said that he considers Harrisburg far too expensive and "hopes to reduce the size and price tag of the state government in order to invest in things that matter like infrastructure and education." He attributes the slow rate of population growth in Pennsylvania revealed by the 2020 census to the increased costs and red-tape discouraging investment in the state and said he plans to address these concerns.&emsp;&emsp;Kirk describes herself as "a wife, mother, trusted nurse, and proven conservative leader." She earned a bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of Pittsburgh, where she also earned a master's degree in nursing administration.&emsp;&emsp;"As a nurse, I always put my patients and their families first," said Kirk. "I knew that I was there to provide care for them during some of the most difficult times in their lives. I brought this nursing practice of listening, caring and advocacy with me to county government after winning my county council election in 2015. On council, I've advocated for seniors and worked to hold the line on taxes, passing balanced budgets with no property tax increase budgets because I know our working families and seniors already pay enough. Running for State Representative is just another way to give back to a community that has been so good to me and my family. With the legislative experience I have gained on County Council, I am ready to fight for and win the common-sense reforms that we desperately need in Pennsylvania."&emsp;&emsp;"On County Council, I worked with other like-minded members to protect taxpayers and small businesses, and to support law enforcement who bravely serve to keep our families and communities safe,' said Kirk. "I am proud of our work, and I'm prepared to hit the ground running in the legislature on day one by leading efforts to protect our constitutional rights, support public safety, provide taxpayers with a strong voice and to oppose job-crushing energy regulations, which will hurt local workers and manufacturing jobs across the state, not to mention the security of our nation."&emsp;&emsp;Kirk said that her priorities are: &emsp;&emsp;"To always protect taxpayers – She never raised property taxes - inflation is already costing families too much;&emsp;&emsp;"Backing strong reforms - supports Voter ID and reforming a badly broken mental health care system;&emsp;&emsp;"Prioritizing our students - catch up our children who have fallen behind and more parental control; &emsp;&emsp;"Support public safety – fund the tools and training for our police ;&emsp;&emsp;"Restoring our freedoms – stopping the progressive agenda."&emsp;&emsp;Voters can contact and learn more about both candidates by visiting their Web sites and social media pages.&emsp;&emsp;Tom Fodi: tomfodi.com&emsp;&emsp;Cindy Kirk: CindyKirkPA.com.