Peter Buck

I am a lifelong Pennsylvanian with deep experience working for my community.

As chairman of the Ferguson Township Board of Supervisors, I championed environmental security and protection issues, maintained a strong economy, and listened to all citizens. I have continued my service in local government as the Chair of an intergovernmental solar power working group and as Vice-chair for a regional climate action and adaptation plan. As an award-winning teacher with a Ph.D. in education, a current employee of Penn State and a former teacher, coach and sustainability director at a boy's boarding school, I have worked to advance educational excellence for today and tomorrow. Through leadership and service in national, statewide, and community organizations, I have supported land conservation, local agriculture, outdoor recreation, education, public health and community connections.

I live in Houserville, Pennsylvania with my wife Lexie, son Sacha and our animals. In my free time, I like to hike, trail run and mountain bike as well as write, read, play my guitar and enjoy good shows with my family.

• I believe everyone deserves a fair shot at a bright future. That's why I'm advancing a living wage, strong labor protection, investment in rural broadband and clean renewable energy.
• We have great teachers in Pennsylvania. Let's support them by making sure that from kindergarten through higher education they have the resources they need to succeed and hold every public school - including charters - accountable for our tax dollars.
• There is too much money and too little transparency in Harrisburg. We need to pass legislation that guarantees transparency, limits the size of campaign contributions and creates a fair districting process so that our legislature represents us.

Education
Renewable Energy & Climate
Land use and Conservation
Rural affairs
Good governance

I look up to a man named John Roe. He lost one of his children to suicide and was diagnosed with terminal cancer. In the face of these incredible challenges, he conducted himself with a grace that shined from him as a light from the heavens. I hope that I am able to think one-half as clearly and with as much love as John did.

Patience
Respect for good evidence
Fair-mindedness
Transparency

On May 18, 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted. I was two months away from turning 4.

The summer I turned 15 I worked at a gas station.

This is so hard! Probably "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien. It takes the reader into the hearts and minds of the men who fought in the Vietnam War that gives such a rich perspective. That book made me a more compassionate person.

After my ex-wife and I were divorced, I lived in Western Pennsylvania for a couple of years. I saw my son every other week for three days. My heart would break each time we said "'Til next time." On my many nights alone, I struggled to not give into the pain. During that time, I concentrated on being there for him 100% as a supportive and loving father. Jessica and I put our differences aside, communicated as clearly as we could and made sure that our son knew that despite our differences, his mother and father love him with all of our hearts, minds, souls and strength.

In Pennsylvania, the Senate is slightly more gerrymandered than the House.

Yes. And I bring that experience to the table as a former Vice Chair and Chair of the Ferguson Township Board of Supervisors, Centre Region Council of Governments representative and member of the Spring Creek Watershed Commission. I continue as an appointed official as the Chair of an intergovernmental solar power working group and the Vice Chair of a Technical Advisory Group for regional climate action and adaptation planning.

The economic and social complications brought on by COVID-19 are going to greatly complicate the structural budgetary issues in Pennsylvania, the industries that stay or leave and the way that we choose to conduct ourselves as citizens. These will impact pensions, schools, infrastructure, how we get along or don't and much more.

I believe that legislative leaders are responsible for building and maintaining solid working relationships with the governor in order to work best for our constituents. I believe that rivalry is healthy and enmity is anathema to progress, that patience is a great virtue, that kindness is demanded of us and that even as our emotions run hot we must work to be the best people we can be so that our fellow citizens can be proud of their leaders.

It is absolutely necessary for legislators to build relationships. There are those with whom we regularly find common cause or enjoy a laugh and there are those who we can have rivalries and competition. Nevertheless, we owe it to one another and to our constituents to build relationships that are healthy. We should do our best to be kind, generous of spirit and open to others.

Agriculture and Rural Affairs
Education
Environmental Resources and Energy
Local Government
Rules
Tourism and Recreational Development

Not for some time.

I admire former California Congressman Henry Waxman (D), former South Carolina Congressman Bob Inglis (R), former Texas Representative Barbara Jordan (D), Abraham Lincoln (R) and . They are people of deep moral commitment and ethics.

No. I'm focused on the General Assembly.

The stories of support for our schools and our kids have been incredibly heart warming. A few weeks ago, a parent talked about her son's teacher dropping off some materials for his schooling. They had developed one of those special relationships that we all hope for our kids to have with a teacher, one full of trust and support. When she started walking back to her car, he ran outside and they started talking. In just a minute, they were both crying...6 feet apart. They told one another how much they missed each other and looking forward to seeing one another in the future.

As a third generation teacher myself and someone who has remained in touch with teachers from my youth and college, this story resonates with me. I know how much my students have meant to me and the value of those relationships across our lifetime.