Mark McCracken / Democrat

Biography:

Mark McCrackenMark McCracken recognizes the issues facing rural communities. He supports farmland preservation and is a strong advocate for a better public education system.

McCracken has served on the Clearfield County Government and as a board member of the Clearfield Area School District. As Clearfield County Commissioner, he balanced the county budget, grew the fund balance, and promoted regional tourism. He has also served on the boards of the Clearfield United Way and the American Red Cross.

McCracken lives in Clearfield with his wife and daughter.

Campaign Website:

http://www.mccrackenforcongress.com/

Campaign Events

 

Candidate Profiles

Republican

Democrat

Libertarian

 

Take the 5th District Candidate Quiz

Click on a number to hear the candidate discuss a particular issue.

CBICC Debate:

Glenn Thompson and Mark McCracken debate in an event orgranized by the Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County (CBICC) that aired on PCN in June. Click on a topic to watch the videos.

Introduction

Illegal Immigration

If the U.S. cracks down on illegal immigration, will farmers be able to find workers to pick crops?

Universal Healthcare

Do you favor or oppose universal healthcare in America? If so, who should pay for it?

Earmarks

What is your opinion of Congressional earmarks?

I-80 Tolls

If I-80 is not tolled, where should funds come from to maintain Pennsylvania's roads?

Unions

Should employees vote for union representation using a card check, secret ballot, or other format?

Oil Prices

How much have Bush's foreign and domestic policies affected oil prices?

Oil Profits

Do oil companies make too much profit?

Oil Taxes

Should oil companies get tax credits?

Oil Production

Should there be increased oil production?

Gas Tax

Do you support a gas tax holiday?

Iraq War

When should U.S. troops leave Iraq?

HR6049

Do you support HR6049 extending alternative energy incentives?

Iraq War

Mark McCracken's position on Iraq War.

Affordable Housing

How would you fund affordable housing?

Budget Deficit

What should be done about the federal budget deficit?

Tax Cuts

Should the Bush tax cuts be extended?

Student Visas

What is your position on foreign university student immigration?

Jobs

What should be done about manufacturing job loss?

Climate Change

How should the government address climate change?

Social Security

How would you address social security?

First Term

How would you be effective as a freshman congressman?

Closing Remarks

» Take the 5th District Candidate Quiz

Quiz Answers:

Illegal Immigrants

Offer them a path to citizenship once they have paid a fine and any back taxes.

Universal Health Care

Employers.

Pennsylvania Brain Drain

Increase incentives to attract businesses to the state, such as the Keystone Innovation Zones that were set up in the state four years ago.

Campaign Finance Reform

I favor the “clean money” approach, giving each candidate a set amount of public money—the system currently in use in Maine and Arizona).

Iraq

There should be a timetable for the removal of U.S. troops.

Climate Change

Global climate change is happening, but because we do not fully understand what’s fueling it, it would be imprudent to act.

Energy Independence

Congress should support alternative energy research, such as clean-coal and ethanol projects, and also promote nuclear power and conservation.

No Child Left Behind

NCLB is failing to close the achievement gap, won’t make its 2014 goals, and has not significantly improved reading and math achievement. The law should be scrapped.

Transportation Funding

Lease roads to private entities and abolish the Turnpike Commission.