Politics & Government

Kampf Announces Re-Election Bid

Announcement ends speculation that Kampf will seek Gerlach's seat in Washington.

State Representative Warren Kampf (R-157) says he will seek a third time in the Pennsylvania State House.  The announcement made late Saturday morning seems to put an end to speculation that Kampf might seek the Congressional seat being vacated by six term Congressman Jim Gerlach.

In announcing his bid for re-election via a press release sent to media outlets, Kampf said there is still much to be done in Harrisburg.  “Over my first two terms, we have made significant progress on addressing the priorities of the people of the 157th District,” continued Kampf.  “However, we still have much left to do on many fronts, including issues such as public pension reform in which I have taken a leadership role.”

Regarding a possible run for Congress, the two-term state representative said, “While I have been approached by local leaders and residents to place my hat in the ring for Congress, the commitment I made to the people of the 157th District is a commitment I am going to keep.” 

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Part of the effort to encourage Kampf to run for Congress came in an interview that a high-level GOP operative gave TE Patch earlier this week.  During that conversation the GOP insider suggested that the 157th district is similar to the make up of the sixth congressional district and that Kampf would make a very strong congressional candidate now or in the future.

Here is the full statement issued by the Kampf Re-Election campaign on Saturday:

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State Representative Warren Kampf (R-157) today announced that he will seek re-election to the 157th District of the State House of Representatives.

 

“Over my first two terms, we have made significant progress on addressing the priorities of the people of the 157th District,” continued Kampf.  “However, we still have much left to do on many fronts, including issues such as public pension reform in which I have taken a leadership role.”

 

Kampf, whose name had been suggested by local political leaders as a possible candidate for the 6th U.S. Congressional District seat being vacated by retiring Congressman Jim Gerlach said, “While I have been approached by local leaders and residents to place my hat in the ring for Congress, the commitment I made to the people of the 157th District is a commitment I am going to keep.”

 

When asked to provide examples of successes in the State House during his first two terms, Kampf answered, “Perhaps most importantly, we restored school funding lost to the end of the federal stimulus so that we now commit more state tax dollars to basic education than ever before.”

 

“We also closed a $4 billion budget deficit without further burdening the taxpayers of Pennsylvania, made sure natural gas drillers are following strict environmental standards as well as paying to address the impact they make on our state, and we helped job creators by making Pennsylvania more competitive in the national and international marketplace,” continued Kampf.

 

Other initiatives supported by Kampf include privatization of the state liquor store system, reducing the size of the legislature, and making significant changes to the property tax system to provide relief for homeowners.  Each of these legislative initiatives now awaits action in the State Senate.

 

Kampf also pointed to personal accomplishments in the House, particularly passage of his “InnovatePA” program into law.  InnovatePA will help fuel investment in the technology and life sciences industries. 

 

“Economic growth and job creation are being driven by bio-tech and life-science industries, especially here in the 157th District,” said Kampf. “My InnovatePA program recognizes this fact and will help ensure these employers continue to thrive in our area.”

 

Kampf was also successful in garnering nearly unanimous bipartisan support in the House for another initiative he authored and sponsored, House Bill 992.  This legislation modernizes the state’s corporate filing system to make it more cost effective for taxpayers and more user-friendly for Pennsylvania businesses of every size.  

 

Further, portions of Kampf-authored legislation (HB2084) to encourage private sector job creation in science and technology through a Research & Development Tax Credit were combined with other bills during the 2011-12 legislative session and passed into law.

 

Kampf also noted his on-going effort to reform the public pension system in Pennsylvania to help taxpayers at the state and school district levels.  Pennsylvania currently faces a $47 billion shortfall in its pension systems that will only continue to grow if no action is taken; the result will be either rising taxes or significant cuts to services.

 

Kampf is the author of two separate pieces of legislation, both moved out of the State Government Committee and now awaiting a House vote, which would end the current defined benefit pension system for new hires and change to a defined contribution system  similar to private 401(k) programs, as well as offer the option for those currently in the defined benefit system to switch over to the new system.

 

“The current public pension system is unsustainable and threatens the fiscal health of our state and our local school districts,” said Kampf.  “My legislation would protect the benefits of current enrollees while offering an approach for new hires that provides them with greater control over their retirement funds while also being fair to taxpayers.  Best of all, my legislation would allow Pennsylvania and school districts the ability to plan for meeting their current obligations in a way that protects taxpayers.”

 

Kampf, who has been the target of significant negative campaigns funded by groups like those who oppose pension reform said that will not deter him from continuing this effort.   “I am committed to doing what’s right, not what’s politically easy,” commented Kampf.  “Our schools and taxpayers need public pension reform to happen and I will continue to fight for its successful passage.”

 

Kampf is also the author of new legislation that will provide tax credits to businesses that donate to charitable organizations providing important basic human services to those in need.  The new tax credit is intended to provide additional funding to service organizations that provide medical care, food, clothing, child care, adult care, shelter, or other assistance that is reasonably necessary to meet an individual’s immediate basic needs.

 

“My legislation is a way to foster greater involvement of the business community in the fight to help those in need,” said Kampf.  “This is a way to bring more resources to help those who are suffering.”

 

Kampf also noted the importance of focusing on issues local to the 157th District, particularly important transportation projects.

 

“As I have done as Representative and a local elected official before that, I will continue to work at moving forward important local projects,” said Kampf.  “We must continue to make progress on the Paoli Transportation Center, the expansion of Route 202 and the Turnpike as well as sound barriers and stormwater management on those roadways, and the improvement of Route 422.”

 

Representative Kampf’s public service career includes working as a criminal prosecutor (as a Deputy Prosecutor in the York County District Attorney’s Office and, later, as an Assistant District Attorney in the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office.) He also served for seven years as a Tredyffrin Township Supervisor, with two years as the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors.

 

Born and raised in Devon, Pennsylvania, Representative Kampf is a graduate of Phillips Exeter Academy of Exeter, NH, Yale University, and Emory University School of Law. A partner with White and Williams, LLP, prior to his election, Representative Kampf today serves as Of Counsel for this firm.

 

Representative Kampf and his wife, Megan, are raising a son and a daughter.  They reside in Paoli.

 

The current 157th District includes Phoenixville Borough, Tredyffrin and Schuylkill Townships in Chester County, as well as parts of West Norriton and Lower Providence Townships in Montgomery County. 

 

Due to constitutionally mandated redistricting, the 157th District in which Kampf is running for re-election includes Tredyffrin and Schuylkill townships, and parts of Phoenixville Borough in Chester County, as well as parts of Upper Providence Township in Montgomery County.

 


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