Lentz vs Hackett in 161st.

The race is set for the 161st state house district. Freshman Democrat Bryan Lentz will face Republican challenger Joseph Hackett. An article by Alex Rose in the Delaware County Daily Times, "Lentz will put record on line against Hackett,"," discusses the race. (The link is to a repost of the article on Lentz's campaign site because the Delco Times often doesn't have permalinks to articles.

Hackett is a former police officer with a history of community service. Lentz is a former assistant district attorney and Iraq War veteran. (Note: Lentz was interviewed on this blog before the 2006 election.) Apparently Hackett is running as a "regular guy." Lentz claims regular guy status as well. I'm not sure about that; he seems kind of extraordinary to me.

In this excerpt from Rose's article, Lentz discusses his first year in office:

“The first law that I introduced that was signed into law by (Gov. Ed Rendell) was House Bill 906, the Firefighters Emergency Services Grant program, which brought over $1 million in grants to fire companies in Delaware County,” said Lentz.

Lentz also cited his work in bringing a dedicated funding source to the mass transit system that will grow over time, and on the issues of energy independence, creating a regional airport authority, and reducing property taxes.

Lentz noted his support for Philadelphia Republican State Rep. John Perzel’s plan to use state gambling revenues to pay property taxes for seniors with incomes of less than $40,000.

“I supported it because I thought it was a good starting concept,” said Lentz, relating a military saying about consolidating combat power.

“If we take that money and concentrate it, we can give substantial relief to people who really need it,” he said, rather than dolling it out to everyone in small amounts.

The 161st district is shaped like a lightning bolt and represents these sections of Delaware County: TOWNSHIPS of Aston, (PART, Ward 06), Marple (PART, Ward 05 [PART, Division 02]), Nether Providence (PART, Wards 01, 02, 03, 04 and 05), Newtown (PART, Precincts 02 and 07), Radnor (PART, Wards 03 [PART, Divisions 01 (hd165) and 01 (hd167)], 04 [PART, Division 01] and 06 [PART, Division 01(hd167) and 02]), Ridley (PART, Wards 01 [PART, Division 03], 02 [PART, Divisions 01 and 03], 03, 05, 07 and 08 [PART, Division 01]), and Springfield (PART, Ward 03 [PART, Division 02 (hd161)]) and Upper Providence (PART, Precincts 02 and 03) and the BOROUGHS of Brookhaven, Rutledge and Swarthmore.