May 9, 2018 3 min read

Two Democrats are facing off for their party’s nomination to face GOP state Rep. Jason Ortitay, of Cecil Township, in the race for state House 46th Legislative District in November. Rueben Brock, 42, and Byron Timmins, 43, both of Cecil Township, are both running in the May 15 primary. Ortitay is in his second term in office.

Both candidates were sent an email asking them what is the most pressing issue in the district and asked to respond in 150 words.

Brock’s response: “I believe the most pressing issue in the district is the opioid crisis. Washington County in particular has become a hotbed for opioid abuse, heroin overdose, and death. Unfortunately, the primary method of attacking the issue in most areas of the country has been through criminal justice. Locking up heroin addicts and dealers appears to be the focal point of our government’s position on this problem. Sadly, it won’t work. We must make a shift in our focus, from punishing the crime of addiction to treating the disease of addiction. We spend millions of dollars housing and feeding drug addicts in jail, but without proper treatment, those addicts will all return to drugs upon release. Simply removing access to the drug temporarily will never cure an addiction. We must divert energy and funding toward mandatory treatment programs for addicts, so that we address the underlying issues that cause addiction.”

Timmins’ response: “It’s rare to find a politician who discounts the importance of a quality education. Unfortunately, empty promises and rehearsed slogans are about as much substance as Harrisburg offers on this critical issue. Our children continually suffer due to budget cuts, while the largest corporations dodge tax obligations and hurt working families. I’m offering solutions instead of slogans. Pennsylvania needs to implement an equitable funding strategy at the state level to alleviate some of the burden of property taxes. A severance tax would provide a stable revenue source to make this happen. Robust investment in STEM programs and education in the trades will provide the practical skills to prepare our students for tomorrow’s economy. Quality and affordable early childhood education must also be expanded, as the long-term economic benefits are undeniable. Investing in our kids isn’t just common sense from an economic standpoint; it’s the right thing to do.”

Byron Timmins

Age: 43

Residence: Cecil Township

Education: Bachelor’s of science in business/economics from Miami University in Ohio

Occupation: Merchandise coordinator

Rueben Brock

Age: 42

Residence: Cecil Township

Education: Bachelor’s of arts in interdisciplinary studies from the University of Pittsburgh, master’s degree in community counseling at California University of Pennsylvania, Ph.D in counseling psychology from West Virginia University. 

Occupation: Owns private counseling practice, professor of psychology at California University of Pennsylvania. 

46th Legislative District

Term: Two years

Salary: $86,478

District includes: 

The district includes Collier and South Fayette townships and Bridgeville, Heidelberg, McDonald and Oakdale boroughs in Allegheny County. It also encompasses Canton, Cecil, Mt. Pleasant, Robinson and Smith townships and Burgettstown, McDonald and Midway boroughs in Washington County.