
Donna Reese
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
EDUCATION
Candidate did not provide
WORK & MILITARY
General Exterminating, Co-Owner/President, 1990-2018
The Cookie Mug & Creations, Co-Owner/President, 1995-2007
Erie Small Business Alliance, Owner/President, 2009-2015
G.A. Barber Center, Teacher's Assistant, 1984-1988
PA GOP, Election Integrity Director Erie County, 2024-2024
AFFILIATIONS
PA GOP State Committee, State Committee Member, 2026-
Erie Homes for Children & Adults, Past Chair for annual fundraiser, 2011-2014
Erie City Mission, Volunteer & Praise Fest Co-Chair, 2011-2014
S.C.O.R.E, Certified Advisor, 2009-2014
Millcreek School Board, Elected Director, 2013-2017
Athena Powerlink, 2008 Recipient, 2008-2009
The Cleveland Clinic, Ambassador/volunteer-Lung Transplant Department, 2025-2026
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Millcreek School Board, 2013-2017
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Millcreek Township Supervisor, 2011-
Millcreek School Board Director, 2013-2017
PA General Assembly, 2026-2026
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (1)
Gun Owners of America Pennsylvania
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (3)
GOA
Citizens Alliance/PA CHASE
Scott Presler Early Vote Action
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
CONSERVATIVE
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (2)
Jake Banta (2022)
Local, County, and District Republican Organizations (2022)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (2)
Tom Wolf (2014)
Ryan Bizzarro (2013)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Agree
Like any other elective surgery, I believe it is up to the individuals
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
Rape, incest, risk to the mother with parameters
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Neutral
I would need to learn more about it
The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.
Choose not to answer
I do not know enough about this but will research
The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.
Agree
If it is a law, it should be followed
ECONOMY
What is your position on the minimum wage?
I don't know of any business, including fast food, that actually pay $7.25 hour.
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.
Duplication of services. The "use it or lose it" philosophy should be re-evaluated so that departments aren't forced to protect unused money. Departments should be rewarded for saving that can carry over, not forced to find ways to spend it. Require State agencies to rebid large contracts to be sure the taxpayers are getting the best value for their money. Audits or government funded programs to show measurable results vs automatically renewing because that's the way it's been done
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
My faith is very strong and the foundation of who I am, my character, my values and the way I treat people. My duty is to follow the Constitution, the law and facts along with the desire of my constituents that I represent, not the directive of my faith institution. However, I do believe it is fair to ask my elected officials that publicly profess their faith if it aligns with their religions values. That is more about accountability, not judgement.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Disagree
I was a private business owner for over 25 years. As a private business that was not funded by any outside source, I believe it is my right to choose. I also understand that there can be ramifications in some instances, specially with the use of social media, and would weigh each situation on a case by case situation.
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. I have had every type of insurance at one time or another which lead me to this conclusion. Private insurance should not be limited to a specific State, for instance. If private insurers didn't have the restrictions, I would have to believe it would be more competitive much like car insurance that is private and required.
The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.
Strongly Disagree
That is not only a violation of privacy, there are people who are born with pre-existing conditions (for example) and should not be penalized for it
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Agree
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
I am focused on State government
IMMIGRATION
I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.
Strongly Disagree
I believe wholeheartedly in immigration as long as the laws of the country are followed. Sanctuary cities are not following federal laws. That is wrong..
EDUCATION
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Agree
After serving on the school board, I believe that States and communities have a better grasp on what is best for our children's education. School districts tend to struggle with unfunded mandates placed by the federal government and local school districts often find themselves having to increase school property tax to cover it.
Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.
Agree
VALUES
Government should recognize and support the fundamental right and essential duty of parents to direct their child's health and educational well-being.
Strongly Agree
There should be no debate. A parent should ALWAYS have the rights to make decisions for their children.
Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.
Neutral
While I do not agree with transition of any minor child, to call it child abuse is something that I would have to investigate with mental health and medical professionals.
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Choose not to answer
This falls in the category of church and state.
I support the expansion of gambling in my state.
Disagree
There was a lot of debate on this subject prior to building our local casino, including the promise of funds to local municipalities. I have also seen the devastation from the effects on gambling on people and their families with the expanded use of online gambling and it being readily accessible to anyone and everyone.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
My parents raised us on values of the church specifically the importance of family, being kind and helping others. There was a time that I struggled with my faith when losing two sisters within four months unexpectedly, then being diagnosed with terminal illness shortly after. I finally met with my son's pastor and his wife (who became my pastor) about the loss of my faith and my fears. From that day forward, I had a renewed spirit and today I am a survivor of a double lung transplant with thanks to God, my donor and the medical staff that all worked together to give me this second and amazing chance at life.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Strongly Disagree
ID is required for nearly everything. Voting is critical to our country and should be protected just as any other thing that requires ID.
EQUALITY
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
We live in 2026. I do not know of any person who was a slave owner, nor anyone that was a slave. While I am wholeheartedly disgusted that slavery ever existed, it ended December 6 of 1865. People today should not be held accountable, nor benefit financially from sins of the past.
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Strongly Agree
I firmly am in support of female rights on this subject. No girl should have to compete against a male who is biologically built bigger, stronger and faster than females. They should not be put in a position to share spaces that would normally be private to their sex, such as bathrooms and locker rooms for safety and personal comfort with a biological male either.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Neutral
There are too many conflicting reports to form give an answer without researching both sides. For every study that says negative about climate, there are conflicting studies at the same time. In 2009 Al Gore said that in 5-7 years the North Pole would be ice free in the summers. That never happened among other false claims made in his movie the Inconvenient Truth.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
At this time Natural Gas is projected to be the driving force. Pennsylvania has an amazing opportunity by fully utilizing our resources for our own needs and selling outside of the State to others for theirs.
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Conservative
I refer to myself as a compassionate conservative. I ran my business and my home on strict budgets, if you don't you risk going bankrupt. But my compassionate side has always stepped up to help non-profits by volunteering and by helping with major fundraising campaigns. I have a very compassionate side for homeless veterans and those suffering from mental illness and drug addiction that lead them to homelessness. I believe the mix is what of both is what makes the best elected leaders.
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No!
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No! I am proud to say that I have not had anything more than a parking ticket.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
What should be the goal of the criminal justice system?
To keep our communities safe. In a perfect world our police could bridge relationships in our communities that would teach young kids to respect law enforcement. When people are faced with arrests, we should be confident in our legal system to be thorough in investigations and charge accordingly. I believe that a life sentence without parole should be enforced but unfortunately our current House recently changed that. My compassion goes out to victims and their families for this decision.
Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.
Strongly Agree
I would go to great lengths to protect children from ANY sexual exploitation.
Sharia law should not be accepted or incorporated in any form within the legal framework of the United States.
Strongly Agree
I believe we follow the Constitution and am wholeheartedly against any religious law being imposed in the United States. I support people and their culture to celebrate and practice their faith privately but never come to this country and but no religion gets to change our Constitution or impose it's rules on people of this country.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I fully support gun laws already in place, and we need to put more emphasis on gun laws that are broken. We have background checks, prohibited use by felons, people subject to domestic violence protective orders, and some adjudicated or committed for mental health reasons. There is talks within the democrat majority to require gun owner to have guns locked up if not being legally carried on their hip. Criminals won't follow the laws and responsible gun owners should have access when in need.
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