Merski opposed by the GOP's Strupczewski for Pa. House

A young Republican is testing the deep-blue waters of Pennsylvania's 2nd Legislative District.

The GOP's Matt Strupczewski, an adjutant general officer with the Army National Guard who works as an economic research analyst for Penn State Behrend, is looking to unseat state Rep. Bob Merski, D-Erie. He may face long odds, as Merski won by about 30 percentage points in each of the past two races in which he was challenged.

Bob Merski (D)

Merski is vice chair of the Game & Fisheries Committee, additionally serving on the Finance, Gaming Oversight, Insurance and Professional Licensure committees.

Issues:

• In an effort to increase transparency following the abrupt closure of The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Merski announced that and he and a colleague would be drafting a potential law to require colleges that receive Pennsylvania tax dollars to provide annual financial information to the commonwealth.

• He also introduced a bill that would ban video and other materials that fraudulently depict public officials, candidates and programs.

Matt Strupczewski (R)

Each race in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives has the potential to dramatically change the dynamic in Harrisburg. Democrats hold just a one-seat lead in the lower chamber, so an upset by Strupczewski or any other Republican challenger could give the GOP a new majority.

Issues:

• According to his website, Strupczeswki intends to amend Pennsylvania's consumer protection laws to ensure fair practices and give residents more control over their data.

• He also states that he'd go to Harrisburg to combat any deficit spending.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Rep. Bob Merski vs Matt Strupczewski in PA HD 2