Edward Ritter

Edward Ritter was born in York, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Dover Area High School. He earned a bachelor's degree from Carnegie Mellon University in 1978. Ritter's career experience includes working as an engineer.[1][2]

Ritter has been affiliated with the following organizations:[1]

American Institute of Chemical Engineers

American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers

AABC Commissioning Group

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I was an engineer for forty-one years. For forty years, I was a middle of the road Republican. As I watched the Republican Party drift farther to the right, I changed my registration to Independent. When I considered running for office, I had a discussion with Democratic Party leadership in York County and was convinced to change my registration.

As an engineer and project manager, I had a career history of on-time, on-budget projects that met the assigned mission. Engineers pledge to follow the law and protect the public interest. I was trusted by my management to solve problems through the design and startup of new operations across the country and around the world. This includes processing facilities in China, England, India, Indonesia, and the Netherlands.

I believe the highest level of ethics should be established for all state legislators. Therefore, I pledge the following:

No Budget, No Pay - I believe our legislature's primary job - every year - is an on time, balanced state budget. I will FORFEIT my legislative salary every day the State Budget is late.

Gift Ban - I will not accept gifts and will support Gift Ban legislation.

Term Limits - I will serve NO MORE than THREE terms (six years).

Half to Charity - I will donate HALF my legislative salary to charity.

Limited Stock Trading - My personal investments are in mutual funds, no single stocks.

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?

The One Big Beautiful Bill passed in 2025 sharply reduced federal spending on social programs: FEMA, NPR, SNAP, Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. Until this can be re-evaluated and possibly (hopefully) changed at the federal level, the state needs to pick up the slack to keep our people HOUSED, healthy and fed. We will need to dip into the rainy day fund and develop added revenue sources. Potentially, taxation of skill games and legalized, recreational marijuana.

Pennsylvania needs to expand affordable housing by expediting permitting and rehabbing abandoned OR underused properties. Charitable contributions to homeless shelters should be incentivized by income tax deductions.The One Big Beautiful Bill passed in 2025 sharply reduced federal spending on social programs: FEMA, NPR, SNAP, Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. Until this can be re-evaluated and possibly (hopefully) changed at the federal level, the state needs to pick up the slack to keep our people housed, HEALTHY and fed.

Pennsylvania needs to support existing health insurance programs: CHIP and Pennie. Reduced federal funding of Medicaid will require added state spending.

Serious consideration should be given to a pilot program for a state-sponsored program that uncouples insurance from employment.State support for food security programs needs to be increased to make up for loss of federal funding - at a minimum.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am an advocate for Death with Dignity legislation. Basic guidelines for eligibility: person must be diagnosed as terminal, person must be of sound mind as determined by psychological evaluation, life-ending medication is to be administered under medical supervision.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

As a Professional Engineer, I have had over 40 years’ experience in meeting schedules, balancing budgets and managing employees and contractors to deliver results. I am fiscally conservative and socially progressive. I am entering politics because the far left and the far right often do not represent the issues most important to the majority of the York County electorate.

I believe in hard work, good schools, quality medical care, and a healthy environment. I believe that American democracy is the best system of government in the world today - the system we need to defend and pass down to our children and grandchildren.

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 am a middle-of-the-road candidate: fiscally conservative and socially progressive. Legislation I sponsor will be based on facts - not just party doctrine.I am not a professional politician. I pledge to represent all residents of the 47th District - honestly, fairly and to the best of my abilities. I will not seek another public office, and I pledge to serve no more than three terms.I believe York Countians value hard work, integrity, good schools, quality healthcare, and a clean environment. I believe American Democracy is the envy of the world and well worth protecting for ourselves, our children and our grandchildren.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Freedom requires a limited government - one that makes good use of tax dollars and still allows folks to make personal decisions without government restraint. Taxation should be fairly balanced between businesses and individuals.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

My favorite books for many years have been John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men" and John Irving's "A Prayer for Owen Meany". Both books illustrate the difficulty of knowing the right thing - and doing the right thing.

Written during the Great Depression, Steinbeck's spare prose reflects the difficulties in the pursuit of happiness in hard times. When things go horribly wrong for mentally challenged Lenny, George does the only thing possible to protect Lenny from the cruel lynching by an angry mob. George acts in the moment and I was stunned and, in a way, uplifted by what bonds of brotherly love can accomplish.

Published in 1989, I see Irving's masterpiece as a Vietnam War protest novel. Johnny and Owen are lifelong friends united by tragedy. Owen does what is necessary to keep Johnny safe from the war. Owen understands the virtues of self-sacrifice and does not shrink from doing the hard work. It is heart-breaking and inspirational.

While the four principal characters in these novels could not be more different, they inspire me to undertake challenges that will benefit others - especially those less fortunate than I. None of us is perfect, but we can all do good work.

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

Elected officials must honor the rights of individuals and recognize that government operates within limits to serve the people. They need to honestly communicate with their constituents and not make promises they can't keep. Humility and respect for others is key. They must have a passion for doing the hard work - seeking common ground for the betterment of all, as much as possible.

The (Boy) Scout Law is a great list of characteristics: Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean and Reverent. I memorized that over 50 years ago and it still rings true.

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

I learned the (Boy) Scout Law over 50 years ago, but these attributes still hold for me: Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent. I have done my best to hold to these qualities over the years.

In addition, I would add Maturity - the knowledge that I need to listen to others. Sometimes these are experts. Other times they are simply those who have their opinions based on their understanding of the circumstances - especially when they may be more affected by decisions of elected officials than those who make the rules.

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

A legislator must be willing and able to fulfill these responsibilities:

1. Prepare and Show Up. Do the reading and the research. Listen to the experts and consider those who may not have expertise but still have a valid point of view. Be present on the floor and at committee meetings and speak with knowledge and integrity.

2. Have a sense of balance. Balance the needs of your constituents with the law. There is a time for patience and a time for urgency. Understand the difference and act accordingly.

3. When laws and regulations need to be changed, be an advocate for change. Be willing to speak up when the need arises, bucking the party line when you feel it is important. Be willing to explain why you do so. You may not change minds, but you may earn respect.

4. Be civil / polite. Understand that folks have different views on subjects based on their upbringing and their learnings over time. Accept that you may be unable to change someone's mind and may need to accept varying points of view. Be willing to be agreeable, even when you disagree.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Personally, I am a loving family man, a good Christian, and an upright citizen of America. I have served my church and my community through volunteer activities over many years.

Professionally, I have served my clients and employers well - maintaining a solid record of on-time / on-budget performance in challenging environments. I have overcome technical challenges by observing issues of concern in detail and innovating both short-term and long-term solutions. I have managed my teams with integrity, allowing for and managing staff shortcomings (that we all have in one way or another) and adjusting to achieve professional goals for the organization.

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

I remember Apollo 11's moon landing in 1969. I was 13. My parents woke me in the middle of the night to watch Neil Armstrong's first steps on the lunar surface. It inspired me to pursue a career in engineering and believe that big problems can be solved.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Indiana Jones. In my professional career, I have frequently been working as a one-man team far from home: India, Indonesia, Singapore... When things have gone wrong, I remember Indy saying, "I'll think of something." One example follows.

I had designed a processing line for cut and cleaned cinnamon chips to be installed in Indonesia. To save money, I agreed to use a locally-sourced fan as long as it would generate at least 45 inches W.C. pressure. Pre-purchase documents from the manufacturer indicated this would be the case. When I was on site for startup, the fan generated only 25 inches W.C. Our startup was dead in the water. I could get a suitable fan from the US in about 4 weeks, but we had committed to shipments. After careful measurements of motor load and assessment of available electrical power, I determined that welding one inch extensions to the fan blades would achieve the required pressure. Dynamic balancing equipment was not available so we did a crude static balance. The revamped impeller increased pressure as I had calculated and we achieved our startup schedule. Excessive vibration caused worry about whether fan and motor bearings would hold up until the new fan arrived, but we had limited options.

The replacement fan arrived on schedule and was installed a month later. The plant maintained production and shipping schedules in the interim. Indy would have been pleased.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Pride. I have sometimes felt like I knew the answer - even before the question was asked. I have assumed that my observations and perspective were more valid than others'. There are times I have been right. Other times, I had to admit my mistakes and backtrack to solve problems and to address people's feelings about my actions.

There is a fine line between being goal-focused and persistent and being stubborn. It is a line I have crossed on more than one occasion. I'd like to say I have gotten better at this over the years - that wisdom comes with age. That has largely been true, but not always...

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

Pennsylvania competes with other states and international players for resources and for jobs. We need to develop our resources: agricultural, mineral, energy and, especially knowledge. We need to utilize our skilled workforce to secure good jobs at good wages for ourselves and future generations. Government needs to be flexible, responsive and cost-efficient to enable us to win these competitions - every day.

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

Not necessarily. I believe the legislature should reflect the citizens it is to serve. I am running as a person with no government or political experience. I do come from a 40 year engineering career, having graduated from one of America's great universities: Carnegie Mellon University.

I have worked on multi-disciplinary teams to complete technical projects across York County and around the world. I believe our legislature will benefit from that type of experience rather than having over 200 legislators who have minimal experience outside of politics and government.

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

Yes. It is not possible to advance legislation you favor without support of other legislators. I believe my background and my intent to represent the middle-of-the-road voter will position me to better reach across the aisle to get things done.

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

No. I will not seek another office, and I pledge to serve no more than three terms (six years) in the Legislature.

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 have heard many seniors complain about ever-increasing property taxes. Living on fixed incomes, they fear losing their homes. They ration medication. They worry about inflation. This is not an isolated story. I have heard it dozens of times. Because of this, I am motivated to improve their situation through targeted tax relief, medical insurance, and support for basics like food and utility support.

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

I believe the legislature should be informed and each legislator should educate himself / herself regarding emergency situations. I support the executive branch's independence to implement emergency powers, but I believe such issues should be subject to legislative and judicial review - especially when these powers extend beyond 30 days.

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

I propose to address solid waste by requiring sports and entertainment venues throughout the state to permit attendees to bring in empty personal water bottles. Statewide, this has the potential to save the public over $10 million per year and reduce the solid waste or recycling of plastic water bottles by 100 tons. I term this proposed legislation Statewide Protection of Legal Access for Sustainable Hydration (SPLASH). Imagine if Pennsylvania were to lead the nation in this!

What committees interest you?

As a senior, I am interested in "Aging & Older Adult Services".

I believe my technical background would be a real benefit to the work of the Environmental Resources & Energy Committee. There would likely be crossover benefit to the "Housing & Community Development" committee since these issues have strong overlap in creating sustainable / livable communities.

Finally, I am interested in the following: 1) Professional Licensure, 2) Labor & Industry and 3) Commerce.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

As an elected official, it would be my responsibility to avoid a conflict of interest. Even better, to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest. Personal finances need to be managed responsibly. Avoid excessive debt that may cause one to seek financial gain through government action (or inaction). When a conflict of interest may arise, identify the conflict early and recuse oneself from work that may compromise your integrity. My personal funds are managed with this in mind. My wife and I do not invest in individual stocks and will not so long as I serve as a government official.

The above addresses personal financial transparency. Regarding government accountability, see below.

The government must be accountable to the people. Government work needs to respect the Sunshine Act keeping official meetings open to the public, including associated documents: agendas, minutes, etc. Elected officials are accountable to the public with elections held according to their respective terms of the office. Non-elected officials are likewise responsible to the public in an indirect way. Positions that are appointed subject to legislative approval are indirectly accountable based on required ratification of their appointments by the legislature.