This is a formula for disaster.  It’s time for a hard, critical look at what’s happening in Harrisburg, what isn’t working, and make the needed course corrections to get us back on the right track.

I’m running for the PA Senate 19 seat because I know what needs to happen to get Pennsylvania’s economy humming again.  I started my own small business and know the principles that have made it successful.  We need to apply that on a larger scale:  Lower corporate tax rates to give businesses an incentive to stay here or relocate to Pennsylvania; cut the taxes that are crippling homeowners and wage earners; and stop spending money on sports arenas, bank buildings, bonuses for state employees, and political perks like golf outings and spa treatments.  Such things are a disgrace to our Commonwealth.

We can do better, and we will do better if I earn your support as the next state senator from the 19th district.

On to victory,
Steve

PS: Take a look at our most recent YouTube video detailing wasteful spending here.

* Government On a Diet, Commonwealth Foundation, 2008

Ms. Aichele said, in part, “[Steve] rose to the top in his Navy career, started his own successful business and has proven he has the leadership skills necessary to best represent our community in Harrisburg.”

Mr. Farrell added “Steve’s status as a political outsider will only enhance his ability to represent our interests.  We need someone in Harrisburg who understands the every-day, bread-and-butter issues faced by each and every voter.”

I thank them both for their endorsements, and interested parties can read the full release here: Aichele - Farrell Endorsement

On to victory,

Steve

We recently posted a short YouTube video, “PA Pork, Hold the Gravy,” to get out our message that there must be integrity and accountability in government.  The link is here.

Please take a look, and send it on to your friends and neighbors.  Let me know if you have a guess as to the person who so adeptly plays the villain– the pink pig.

Many people have viewed it already, and some have reached out to say that “THE MESSAGE” moved them.  It is a message that transcends party labels and ideological groupings, and the feedback I have already received supports that. No decent person wants tax money wasted. That is the situation we have now and it is unacceptable.  It can and will be fixed.

That is WHY I am running and need your vote on November 4th.  Please help me bring leadership to Harrisburg so your tax money is spent wisely and our tax burden is reduced. We must grow jobs and income, not mortgage the future of our children and grandchildren through wasteful government spending and massive government debt.

Contribute, volunteer, and vote.

On to Victory!
Steve 

Pennsylvania’s record in job growth and income growth is very poor:  49th and 45th respectively in one study, 48th in both in another.  Our state senate district is, in many ways, the economic engine for the entire state.

Despite this, the long-promised safety and lane expansion for route 202 from Paoli to the Bypass which was scheduled to begin this year has now been put on hold.  So we can now add more traffic jams and the resultant loss of quality of life to our higher taxes and poor delivery of state services.  And that’s to say nothing of the environmental damage!

This does not demonstrate success in solving our biggest problems.  It does not suggest successful leadership.Constituent services are indeed an important part of the job of our state senator, as you will no doubt hear over the summer.  Delivering first-rate assistance with government-related questions and problems is a necessary part of the job.  But it is not sufficient.  We expect and deserve more.

Our senator must ensure that route 202 is up to the task of moving our families and visitors safely and expeditiously.  Our senator must be a leader in bringing government spending under control so we can make this great commonwealth competitive in attracting well-paying jobs.  Our senator must lead the way in reforming Harrisburg so that our legislators work for the people and not the other way around.

That kind of leadership, which I have a track record of delivering, will make government responsive and efficient.  It will make our lives and our children’s lives better, and give us a government deserving our pride.  We should not settle for anything less.

Yours for leadership,
Steve

Please let me extend Memorial Day greetings to each of you.  First and foremost, I hope you will remember to honor those brave men and women of the armed forces of the United States who have sacrificed their very lives for our country defending every freedom we have been blessed to enjoy over the years.

While Memorial Day is a day of remembrance for those who have died in service to our nation, lets also remember all those in uniform who have served and are serving our great nation. One way to do that is supporting Operation Homefront - Pennsylvania and Delaware, a charitable organization that lessens the burden on service members and their families.  They provide a number of opportunities for those of us enjoying the blessings of this country to share them with those who have fought most gallantly to defend those blessings.

I am privileged to serve on their Board of Advisors, and I hope that each person reading this message with feel encouraged to contact them and offer to support their mission, whether by volunteering or contributing financially.

They can be contacted at:  Operation Homefront - Pennsylvania and Delaware, P.O. Box 4908, Philadelphia, PA, 19119.  Their phone number is 215-764-6164, and their home page is here.

All the best,
Steve 

It’s hard to believe, but with the primary behind us it is now full speed ahead into the election campaign.  We are off to a great start.  In the short time since the primary I’ve met many voters at various events who have expressed dissatisfaction with the current state of affairs in Harrisburg and are eager for change.  Our message of “Leadership, Integrity, and Accountability” is resonating.  The people I have spoken with enthusiastically agree with our values of limited government, low taxes, and pro-growth fiscal policies.

Here are some of the widely attended events at which I’ve met these voters since the primary:

On April 24 I had the privilege of attending the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry annual dinner.  On April 25 Chris and I attended the Upper Main Line YMCA’s “A Night in Hollywood” gala.  Both events were well attended, and I was able to speak with many neighbors who passionately share our goals for our area and all of Pennsylvania.

On April 26 Chris and I spend several hours at Historic Sugertown enjoying the exhibits and talking to those attending.  We also spend many hours at the Malvern Blooms festival on April 27, making new friends and enjoying the company of our team of volunteers.  Several thousand people had the opportunity to speak with us, and pick up some of our literature.  Again, the reception was remarkable, particularly from the future voters who liked the candy and balloons more than talking politics.

On May 1 I spent the morning at the DNB First Loyalty to Service breakfast honoring four outstanding Chester County social-work professionals who have accomplished so much.  Finally, on May 2 our committee people and I set up our campaign table at Phoenixville’s First Friday, which was the first one in some time with good weather!  We spent hours meeting hundred of people from Montgomery and Chester Counties who share our values and concerns and were energized by our message.

I am committed to meeting as many voters as possible.  As people hear what I stand for and the skills and values I will take to Harrisburg as your state senator from PA Senate 19, the enthusiasm is contagious.  Together we will take back this important office and carry on the traditions of Earl Baker and Bob Thompson.  I want to hear your concerns– through this this web site and in person– so feel free track me down at one of these events, or send an e-mail to info@leadership08.com.  I look forward to talking to you during the campaign season, and beyond.

On to VICTORY!
Steve

PS:  Remember, to make a donation to my campaign via paypal, click here.  Alternatively, print out and return this form, and send it to Steve Kantrowitz for Senate, 796 Trout Run Drive, Malvern PA, 19355.

As I traveled throughout the 19th Senatorial District visiting polling places I met voters and volunteers eager to make a difference and reform Harrisburg.  People are tired of insider politics and “shell games”, and I humbly suggest I will be a leading part of the solution.

At one polling place I met a voter who owns her own small business.  She shared with me her concern about laws are that are not only hurting her local business, but causing her to cut back on hiring young people for their first job.  This is the exact sort of thing I will enjoy discussing in more detail during the campaign, sharing with you how I will work to right these counterproductive laws.

Over the next few months I hope to have similar conversations with every constituent in this district who wants to talk with me.  Toward that end, keep an eye on our events page here, or feel free to contact the campaign at info@leadership08.com to identify specific opportunities for us to have those conversations.

Together, we will end “business as usual” and undertake the hard work required to make real changes.

Yours to Victory,

Steve

PS:  Remember, to make a donation to my campaign via paypal, click here.  Alternatively, print out and return this form, and send it to Steve Kantrowitz for Senate, 796 Trout Run Drive, Malvern PA, 19355.

John McCain, son and grandson of Navy Admirals, continued his family’s long tradition of serving this country in the armed forces.  We all know his record of heroism, devotion to duty, and sacrifice.  It was that experience that molded the man he is today:  A leader and courageous visionary guided by principle rather than short-term personal advantage, and a guarantor that our tax money is spent properly.

Ours is a military family, too.  My wife Chris and I met when we were both serving as Navy officers.  Her late father George served a full Air Force career, including substantial time as a prisoner of war after his plane was shot down, retiring as a Colonel.  Like these two men I also honed my leadership, integrity, and accountability during my 30-year career.  Those traits are what we need in the Senator representing our beautiful and vibrant area– Pennsylvania’s 9th District– in Harrisburg.

Accountability will bring down taxes and spark growth.  Integrity will ensure special interests don’t rule, but the people do.  Leadership will get it done!

Yours for Victory,
Steve

Controlling the rapid and steep increase in medical costs is one way to ensure affordable health insurance.  Government must reduce health and insurance prices by reforming our legal system to stop frivolous lawsuits that drive up medical costs. How many of us have noticed that our doctors are leaving Pennsylvania, driven out by the rising cost of doing business here? Not only are we losing talented medical professionals, but such rising costs impact each of us by raising the rates of health insurance itself. The Pennsylvania legislature can and must make changes to this situation.

Part of the problem is the result of our broken legal system that allows too many frivolous lawsuits that drive up the costs of both treatment and insurance. Real reform means taking on the special interests that have called the tune in Harrisburg for too long.  But it can be done and will be done with leadership when you elect me.

Pennsylvanians should have the right to buy the coverage they need, not the coverage that bureaucrats claim is needed.  Pennsylvanians should be able to buy affordable policies offered by insurers licensed in other states.  No more dictating from Harrisburg about what our Pennsylvania families need in coverage –you will make those decisions and have affordable health insurance when you elect me and I bring accountability to the legislature.

Pennsylvania families must receive the same tax breaks as businesses when purchasing health insurance, thereby lowering net costs.  We will have this fundamental fairness when you elect me and integrity comes to the forefront in the legislature.

I believe that we can bring affordable health insurance to the people by a common-sense approach that cuts costs, treats people fairly, and allows us to buy what we need at a reasonable cost.  Government bureaucrats telling you what to do has been a big cause of the problem, and giving them more control over our families’ health insurance will only make it worse.  Let me know what you think.

Yours for victory,
Steve

P.S. If you haven’t done it already, would you please consider a foundational contribution of $100, $50 or even $25?

The bottom line is, we did it. Despite wind, ice, and generally miserable weather, our team filed nearly twice the required signatures needed to appear on the April 22 Primary ballot. Thanks to each of you who gave up a Saturday at home relaxing, found a sitter for the kids, or otherwise gave of your time so that I can make it to Harrisburg to fulfill my commitments to you. Change is only possible through this kind of team effort and your dedication further inspires me to push harder.

With our online kickoff, Chester County GOP endorsement and ballot-access issues in the rear-view mirror, the “second quarter” has officially begun and by early next week, we’ll be making several important announcements about our new goals for the campaign. Please take a minute to review steps 1,2, and 3 on the upper left of this site to see how you can continue to keep our campaign momentum in high gear.

In the meantime, I am ready, willing, and able to speak to interested groups and discuss my stand on the issues as well as answer questions—the harder the better. Feel free to contact me should you have or be willing to organize opportunities for me to meet those in Chester and Montgomery Counties who agree that it’s time for a change in Harrisburg.

Yours for victory,
Steve

P.S. If you haven’t done it already, would you please consider a foundational contribution of $100, $50 or even $25? We need you help now to show the other side we’re ready for this fight!