On Friday, April 5, at 6 p.m. town-hall-style meeting will take place at the Waynesboro Country Club. Three local candidates will field questions and highlight their qualifications for two upcoming Pennsylvania elected offices. The event is sponsored by the Conservative Women of Waynesboro Area. This forum is free, and open to all citizens of any political ideology. Membership at Waynesboro Country Club is not required for entry.
Three candidates are scheduled to appear, two Republicans running for a Pennsylvania State Representative position- Chad Reichard and Janon Gray. The third candidate is Cameron Schroy, a Democrat running for Pennsylvania State Senator. Each candidate will be given time to promote their candidacy, and then will be asked a slate of questions from local citizens, as well as prepared questions from moderator Clint Barkdoll.
Robin Biser is a member of the Conservative Women of Waynesboro Area (CWWA) and discussed the group’s purpose for the event. “We believe voting is a privilege and a responsibility. Our organization promotes honest communication between candidates and voters.” Biser said CWWA doesn’t raise funds for individual candidates, but does seek potential office holders who share their values. The group, which formed four years ago, is made up of home-school moms, grandmothers, teachers, and numerous other professionals. Biser said an increasing number of men have also participated and supported their group.
CWWA performs community outreach programs, promotes voter registration, researches candidates, invites speakers to their gatherings, and their members also attend local school board meetings.
Biser said this town-hall meeting is essentially a job interview for the candidates. CWWA held a similar forum last spring, attended by 200 people. One of the organization’s goals is increasing citizen participation in all elections. “We hope this event will help voters make informed decisions,” Biser said.
Chad Reichard is running as a Republican for the 90th District for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Reichard is a life-long resident of Waynesboro. His career includes being a staff member in the PA Senate and House of Representatives and he was also elected as a Washington Township Supervisor. Reichard is currently a zoning officer for Washington Township. “I will champion the strong, conservative values of our community in Harrisburg, and make certain that the 90th District becomes an even better place to live, work, and raise a family,” Reichard said. His candidate website is: www.chad4pa.com.
Janon ‘Jay’ Gray is a second Republican candidate for the 90th District seat. Gray is a graduate of the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA with degrees in economics and business administration. For the past 26 years, he has been employed in the fields of accounting and consulting. Gray is a resident of Greencastle and serves on the Greencastle-Antrim School Board as a treasurer. He is also treasurer of the Franklin County Republican Committee. Gray was chosen as one of 28 Pennsylvania ‘Uniters’, a program that seeks to prevent targeted violence. “I will serve with compassion, an optimistic attitude and a tireless work ethic,” Gray said. He also promises collaboration to find solutions to challenges faced in the 90th District. Gray believes that “service to others is not just a choice, it is a responsibility.” To learn more about candidate Gray, visit his website: www.janongray.com
Both Reichard and Gray seek the office currently held by fellow Republican Paul Schemel, who announced he will not seek reelection. Schemel’s term expires in November 2024. The 90th District includes the Waynesboro, Greencastle, and Mercersburg communities.
Cameron Schroy seeks the Democratic nomination for State Senator. Schroy is an educator, volunteer leader, and civic advocate. He graduated from Shippensburg University, and is a life-long Franklin County resident. Schroy is currently chair of the Franklin County Democratic Committee. He is also a civics teacher in Waynesboro, and resides in Greencastle. As a teacher, Schroy is passionate about raising educational standards by fully funding local public schools. “I will use my voice to be the fighter we deserve in Harrisburg,” Schroy said. His candidate website is: www.cameronforpa.com.
Schroy runs for the seat now held by Republican incumbent State Senator Doug Mastriano, who won the office in 2019. Mastriano will not be present for this CWWA forum. The 33rd Senate District encompasses all of Franklin and Adams Counties.
Waynesboro Country Club is located at 11000 Country Club Road in Waynesboro. For the CWWA event, doors open at 5:30 p.m. Attendees can register their questions for a specific candidate before the forum begins.
