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State Rep. Joe Hamm, R-Hepburn Township, has fought for our region's values and beliefs in Harrisburg. Jamie Flick, Republican nominee for the state House seat left open by state Rep. Jeff Wheeland, R-Loyalsock Township, has given every straight-forward indication he will also represent the principles with which we and our region's voters consistently agree – small government rooted in our U.S. and state constitutions, the integral role free enterprise, hard work and entrepreneurship play in our economic health and the importance of community and family in the face of overly centralized, top-down thinking by distant elites.
Hamm perhaps surpasses every Republican honored to serve the elected public for his devotion to conservative principles. In assessing our state legislature the American Conservative Union this year ranked him as tied for the most consistently conservative lawmaker. His leadership on finding a compromise with the state Department of Transportation so that the Sept. 11 memorial ride could continue openly and proudly was a blessing for our communities, and an example of his tirelessness in confronting the frustrating constraints of bureaucracy.
Flick, in speaking with us and with voters, made a strong case for the importance of our business community. A successful businessman, Flick understands the key role of employers in providing Pennsylvanians with better futures. As a volunteer with many organizations, Flick clearly understands the role of communities in their own health and successes as well. He has a keen interest in reform and in correcting our state government's too-frequent resistance to transparency and accountability.
Likewise, U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, R-Dallas, and U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson, R-Howard, have fought for our region's values and beliefs. Both have solid voting records opposing the growth of intrusive government and excessive federal spending and supporting the growth of America's businesses and middle class.
Meuser is an independent-minded conservative who emphasizes energy independence and supports realistic development of resources. His campaign cites supporting the police and finding sensible solutions to reduce the price of prescription drugs as other priorities.
Thompson is a leader in addressing agricultural issues – issues that are vitally important to our region's economy and too often neglected. He has also taken leadership roles on issues ranging from military housing to trade. Like Meuser, Thompson supports the development of natural gas and other critically-needed sources of energy.
While redistricting has left our region more split between two legislators with whom our voters are perhaps less familiar than U.S. Rep. Fred Keller, R-Kreamer, and former U.S. Rep. Tom Marino, R-Cogan Station, both Meuser and Thompson have strong reputations in the hearts of their past districts – Centre County and neighboring counties for Thompson, the suburbs of Wilkes-Barre and Scranton for Meuser – for their responsiveness and engagement with constituents. We look forward to seeing both lawmakers apply those records to serving Lycoming County and surrounding communities.
Our government was designed on several principles and one of the most important is the concept of checks and balances. The pursuit of checks and balances is another reason we endorse Meuser, Thompson and Hamm for reelection and Flick for election. But it certainly does not outshine their exemplary service to the majorities that elect them and their more than capable abilities to represent the conservatism to which our region regularly -- perhaps unfailingly -- endorse with strong majorities on election days.