LUZERNE COUNTY, Pa. — Brenda Pugh is looking to replace fellow Republican incumbent Representative Aaron Kaufer after he decided not to run for reelection.
Democrat Fern Leard from the Back Mountain lost the seat to Representative Kaufer back in November of 2022. Now, she's back, hoping to win that spot.
Leard has been an advocate on Capitol Hill for the past decade, working to pass a health care bill. Now she's pushing her focus on women's health freedoms.
Pugh is a long-time resident of Luzerne County's back mountain, a local business owner, and the chair of the Luzerne County Fair. She says she's focusing on issues impacting the community, like addiction, public safety, and inflation.
With a divided state congress and an evenly divided district, both candidates say they're willing to compromise if elected.
