In Pennsylvania's 12th Legislative District, the choice cannot be to sit out this election because there are many profound issues that must be confronted. Over the last four election cycles, turnout has averaged just over 50 percent in our district. Please not this time.

If you think it's important for our representative to be a bully, racist, misogynistic, homophobic partisan to the point of not acting on legislation from across the aisle, capable of rewriting legislation (HB722) that had more than 100 co-sponsors to assure that power isn't given away, then the incumbent is your man.

If, on the other hand, you want someone who shares your values and will work to represent us in a way that lessens divisions rather than increasing them, then just about anyone but the incumbent is a better choice.

I'm an independent, not a Republican or Democrat; and I plan to vote on both the character of the candidates and their ideas on the major issues of our time. I hope you will look beyond your political party affiliation and do the same.

Don't sit on the sidelines ... vote. It's the only way we can get our country back on track, starting in the 12th district.