Central Valley teacher joins 10th GOP race
NORTH SEWICKLEY TWP, Beaver County — A second Republican has entered the race for the 10th District in the state House.
Dawnlyn Valli, 51, of North Sewickley Township is running in the GOP primary April 26.
The 10th District covers Slippery Rock and Slippery Rock Township in Butler County, as well as parts of Beaver and Lawrence counties.
In a statement, Valli said incumbent Democrat state Rep. Jaret Gibbons’ continued promises of community revitalization, economic prosperity and a better life for residents have fallen short.
“As an educator for 23 years, I’ve been in the classroom working with students and fellow teachers,” Valli said. “I have a unique perspective, and it’s different from the governor’s, to say the least.”
She said she believes the state needs to invest in the classroom to make sure students are prepared for the job market they will face when they graduate. These investments must be made without bankrupting taxpayers, Valli said.
“Unfortunately, Governor Tom Wolf’s solutions to the challenges facing Pennsylvania is always the same — higher taxes,” Valli said. “Instead, I think we need to look at cost savings and other revenues before we ask taxpayers for a single dime.”
She said she believes that representing communities is an honor and civic duty.
“For me running for state representative is simple — my job is take our values to Harrisburg and fight every day as hard as I can,” Valli said. “I will be an advocate for fiscal responsibility, job creation, and I’ll do everything I can to help our energy sector grow.”
She said she also will fight for fiscal responsibility and for the taxpayers, not a political party or ideology.
“We need grown-ups in Harrisburg. That’s one of the big reasons I am running,” Valli said. “My first day there I will introduce a bill that says no pay for legislators unless we meet our constitutional duty of passing a budget on June 30.”
Valli graduated from Robert Morris University in 1991 with a degree in business and a dual teaching certificate. She teaches at the Central Valley School District.
Valli and her husband, Bill, have two children, Judd and Raena.
Aaron Bernstine of New Beaver also is seeking the Republican nomination for the seat.
Gibbons is from Franklin Township, Beaver County. He was first elected in 2006, and announced this week that he will run for re-election.
