Q&A with Senate candidate Katie McGinty

KATIE McGINTY, former Pennsylvania environmental secretary, former Democratic gubernatorial candidate, former chief of staff to Gov. Wolf, last week announced her candidacy for U.S. Senate. She wants the seat now held by Sen. Pat Toomey, who's up for re-election next year.

McGinty sat down for a Q&A with Daily News political columnist John Baer.

Q: You're a Northeast Philly neighborhood native, large family, dad was a cop. How did your upbringing influence your life priorities?

A: Well, it's all about working families who deserve a shot at the American dream, and I want a shot at making that happen again.

Q: You started out in science, chemistry major at St. Joe's. How and why did you get from that into politics?

A: Science has been great training for the work I've done. So much of politics today is about shrill sound bites. If we cared more about substance we could find common ground.

Q: Why are you a better choice for Democrats than Joe Sestak?

A: Our ideas and our track record: creating jobs while protecting the environment and fighting to fund our schools, delivering Medicaid expansion and hundreds of millions of dollars in tax savings. That's what I'm running on and I think voters will respond positively.

Q: Almost every candidate these days runs on helping the middle class. Your announcement video stressed that. What one or two specifics would help the middle class most?

A: Good schools and apprenticeship programs because education is key; and creating jobs by rebuilding infrastructure and expanding clean energy.

Q: You spent much of your career as an active environmentalist. Why doesn't that limit your views regarding overall public policy?

A: Every experience is about solving problems, bringing people together and finding common ground. That's what is missing in politics today and that's what I'll add.

Q: Pennsylvania has never elected a woman governor or senator. Why do you think that is?

A: I think that diversity is important. It's one of the key strengths of our country. These days, people are looking for candidates with the best experience and the best ways to solve problems.

Q: Some suggest your upbeat, optimistic style and large personality regarding what politics can achieve can clash with realities voters see in Washington and Harrisburg. Do you see that as a problem for your candidacy?

A: I think voters care deeply and are concerned and pained by the dysfunction. I think they will welcome a person who brings not just a spirit but a track record of can-do to government.

Q: The economies, demographics and social needs of states very often differ. What one specific thing do the people of Pennsylvania need most from Washington?

A: Greater funding for education with fewer strings, less mandatory standardized testing for our kids while helping parents pay college-tuition bills.

Q: The Republican spin machine is pushing a narrative that you quit as Gov. Wolf's chief of staff because you care more about promoting yourself than working to solve the state's problems, including the current budget impasse. How do you respond?

A: I'm proud of my partnership with Gov. Wolf. I'm proud of the great team we built. And there is one most-valuable and invaluable player on that team, and that's the governor. He's doing great and will do great, and it was my privilege to work with him.

Q: How do you order your cheesesteaks?

A: Ha, ha, ha. The gour-met way. Steak-umms with Cheez Whiz.

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