Chad Reichard

Chad Reichard was born in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Waynesboro Area High School in 2009, earned a bachelor's degree from American University in 2012, and a graduate degree from Penn State University in 2022. His career experience includes working in government and as an insurance agent.[1][2]

Reichard has been affiliated with the following organizations:

St. Mary's Episcopal Church

George Washington Lodge #143 F&AM

Franklin County Farm Bureau

Franklin County Republican Committee

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a Franklin County, PA native. My family has been farming in the area since 1770. I have worked as a staffer in the Pennsylvania State Senate and US House of Representatives, as served as a Washington Township Supervisor (Chairman of the Board 2019-2020). I currently serve as planning and zoning officer for Washington Township. My experience in all three levels of government has allowed me to see how government works - and in most cases, doesn't work. Outside of work, I serve on various volunteer boards, such as for the Waynesboro Community and Human Services, the Waynesboro Beneficial Fund, Franklin County Council of Governments (chairman), and various leadership roles within St. Mary's Episcopal Church. My goal is to champion the strong, conservative failures of our community in Harrisburg and make certain that the 90th district becomes an even better place to live, work, and raise a family. My record has been one of small and efficient government. As one of the Township Supervisors and Chairman of the Board during COVID, we led a policy of keeping Washington Township open for business, we created partnerships with local organizations to provide job skills to students in our parks (all funded by state grants and at no expense to the Township), and continue to create a positive, local economy that balances job creation and housing with conservation. I love Franklin County and the people who make this an inviting community.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I oppose wasteful spending, will fight to reduce taxes, and will work to overturn burdensome state regulations. Too many people working full-time are unable to afford groceries due to uncontrolled inflation, seniors are being forced to choose between skyrocketing utility bills and over-priced medication, entrepreneurs are lost in the quagmire of government regulation and bureaucracy, and our state government continues to grow ever larger. I will fight to ensure that our government lives within its means.I support farmland preservation and investing in agriculture. Franklin County is blessed with some of the richest soils in the United States, however, competing interests for that land put upward pressure on farmers to sell or develop their land. Our county has done an excellent job of balancing, agriculture, commercial development, and new housing, but continued increases in land prices make it difficult for the next generation of farmers to enter into the industry. Pennsylvania needs to continue to prioritize the ag industry and food security.I am pro-gun and pro-public safety. I firmly believe in the rights of individuals to keep and bear arms. To that end, I will sponsor legislation that protects the ability of law abiding citizens to exercise their Second Amendment rights. Additionally, it is critical that we continue to give law enforcement officers every tool possible to ensure their safety while serving society and preventing crime. Individual rights to self defense, coupled with police departments that are permitted to enforce the laws will drastically reduce crime in both rural and urban areas.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about workforce development and economics. We are exporting our younger workforce to other states. Pennsylvania needs to adopt policies that attract skilled and educated labor to our Commonwealth and to offer paid apprenticeship programs to those seeking to enter the trades. Businesses continue to locate to Franklin County, but need the workforce to fill those positions. Attracting those workers will boost our local economy while addressing the structural deficit currently projected in future state budgets.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Outside of my family, who have always inspired me to succeed, I greatly admire President Theodore Roosevelt. He pushed himself at a young age to overcome physical ailments and lived a "strenuous life." These lessons of perseverance are key in developing the character of an individual in never letting the challenges of life stop you from achieving your goal or doing what you think is right.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty, integrity, and a sense of duty are the most important principles for elected officials. The level of trust that voters place in elected officials demands that they exercise extreme care not to betray the trust of the citizens who elected them. Honesty in all dealings with both colleagues and citizens, as they deserve the truth, even when it is unpleasant. Integrity means that an elected official does what they think is in the best interest of those who elected them and not for self-promotion. A sense of duty encompasses the reason why any person should seek elected office. The purpose of these positions are to serve the people and not to further one's own interests.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I believe that I have an ability to understand individual problems and diagnose them within the complexities of government, the drive to ensure that the work needed to address societal problems is done, an ability to work with others to find common solutions, and the temperament to lead in difficult circumstances.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

A state representative, first and foremost, represents the values, thoughts, and desires of those whom they represent. This means that a representative is a collective voice for those who sent them to Harrisburg, to ensure that government is run in a manner most closely reflecting their ideals. Beyond the legislative aspects of the state representative, the other responsibility for this office is to represent your constituents before various state agencies. If a citizen is having an issue with a particular department or agency, is being treated unreasonably, and has a legitimate claim for redress, it is the responsibility of the representative to ensure that the citizen is properly served and receives a satisfactory resolution to their issue or issues.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want society to be in better shape than I found it, and for there to be opportunities for the next generation to succeed.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I remember both Y2K and the September 11th attacks quite vividly. I was 9 and 10 years old, respectively.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I was a lifeguard throughout high school and college. I also worked as a busboy, waiter, and bartender during the same period.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

The governor and the state legislature should work as partners in addressing the most pressing issues facing the Commonwealth. While the governor may set the tone and establish policy priorities, the legislature, in representing more directly unique demographics, have a major role in shaping those policies so that the policy can be best implemented to improve the lives of the majority of citizens.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Pennsylvania faces a nearly $1 billion structural deficit, which is largely due to the fact that we are exporting working-age people. We need to take steps to attract new workers, retrain those who are currently underemployed to learn the skills necessary to fill in-demand jobs, and ensure that our children, when they graduate high school, technical school, or college, have the opportunities here to live, work, and raise a family.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Yes, it is critical for a state legislator to have some background in government. These positions are too critical for on-the-job training. It is nearly impossible to adequately represent your constituency when you don't have a basic understanding of the structure of government, what the various agencies and departments do, or how various governmental entities interact with one-another.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

It is absolutely beneficial to have a great working relationship with other legislators. It takes 102 votes in the House, 26 votes in the Senate, and the Governor to sign all legislation into law. These relationships are key to ensuring that your legislation receives a committee vote, floor vote, and then has equally as smooth passage in the other chamber. This can only be accomplished through good relationships and personal advocacy.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

I want to focus on doing what I can to improve the lives of my constituents as their state representative. That is my focus... not trying to springboard into another office.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

I often hear from seniors who are faced with tough choices - whether to pay their utility bill or buy medication or food. The same goes for young workers trying to raise a family. Skyrocketing prices has more and more people making difficult decisions on purchases.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

Yes. Our system of government was set up with checks and balances to ensure that no one branch would become too powerful, with the executive branch becoming tyrannical being the biggest fear. It is necessary for the Governor to respond to an emergency in a timely manner, but any long-term use of powers to address that emergency should be reviewed and confirmed by the legislature.

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

I will introduce legislation creating a tax credit for certain businesses to hire and train certain, in-demand skilled labor positions, and pay those individuals a living wage (which can be deducted as part of the tax credit) while they are in training. This will provide incentive for those workers who are currently underemployed with an opportunity to seek skilled labor positions without having to jeopardize their income stream while doing so. The goal is to increase Pennsylvania's skilled labor workforce through re-training existing workers or attracting those from out of state to the Commonwealth, and to encourage businesses to move to the Commonwealth.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Gun Owners of America and the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors

What committees interest you?

I would be interested in serving on Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Commerce, Judiciary, Local Government, or the Tourism and Economic Development committees.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

It is critical for the state government as a whole, and each agency, department, and branch in particular to be as financially transparent as possible. When dealing with tax dollars, citizens have the right to know how their money is being spent, on what programs, and whether or not those programs are achieving their state goals or outcomes.