OPINION: Let Bucks County Voters Have a True Choice in May’s Elections
February 14, 2026
1 Comment
Sarah Baik believes it’s time to put the small “d” democratic back in the big “D” Democratic primaries.
Lucia Simonelli
Seeking Office: Representative in Congress
Party: Democratic
Primary Ballot: Democratic
District: National
2026 Democratic Primary Questionnaire Responses
At the Bucks County Beacon, we believe informed voters are the bedrock of democracy. We asked every candidate in the PA-01 primary to clarify their positions on the issues that matter most to our community. Below are their unedited submissions. Most questions included a multiple choice answer, with the choices being Yes, No, or Other/Neutral, along with an explanation for the stance.
1. Healthcare
Do you support a “Medicare for All” single-payer system?
Yes
Medicare for All is the policy equivalent of ‘healthcare is a human right.’ It would put into place the optimal structure to ensure that everyone in this country has access to quality healthcare. Some of my family, who live abroad, have never had to deal with monthly premiums, denial of coverage, or medical debt – no one in the United States should either. Medicare for all would be cheaper per capita than our current system through a reduction in administrative fees and prescription drug costs. As a step toward Medicare for All, I really like the State-based Universal Healthcare Act, which would allow states, voluntarily, to trial Medicare for All through a waiver program. This leverages states as laboratory spaces, which could help to build political will for a national program.
Do you support adding a public option to the Affordable Care Act, specifically as outlined in the CHOICE Act?
Yes
If this is the route that is most politically tractable in the near-term, I would support it as an interim measure. Many people like the idea of preserving choice and would feel more comfortable with this as a next step; I would note that it may have limited power to curb the influence of private companies and not result in the structural shift needed to fully reform our healthcare system.
2 Immigration & Federal Oversight
The Future of ICE
Do you support the abolishment or disbanding of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)?
Yes
I believe immigration policy should reflect fairness, dignity, legal integrity, and practical solutions that prioritize human rights and safety. Because of this, ICE must be abolished. Increased training and other reforms cannot fix the systemic issues of the agency that have led to the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, as they were murdered by seasoned officers. Other law enforcement agencies already exist to protect against criminal activity; there is no reason to have a special agency specifically targeting a group of people with lower per capita crime rates than US citizens. I do support a secure border and immigration reform. I’m in favor of a humane approach that (i) ensures adequate personnel, training, technology, and infrastructure along the border, (ii) replaces deterrence-focused detention with community-based reception systems, (iii) directs federal resources toward timely asylum processing and humanitarian support, and (iv) strengthens coordination between government and civil society to ensure arriving migrants are welcomed into communities.
Accountability Measures
Do you support a federal mandate for ICE agents to wear body cameras and a ban on “masking” (face coverings) during enforcement actions?
Yes
Until we abolish it, ICE should be held to the same standards as other law enforcement agents. In addition to the above, I support stricter use of judicial warrants, an end to roving patrols, and the adoption of a code of conduct across federal law enforcement.
Sensitive Locations
Do you support the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act (H.R. 1061), which would codify a ban on ICE enforcement within 1,000 feet of schools, churches, and hospitals, regardless of current administration directives?
Yes
We should absolutely ensure that people can access services safely at all the facilities listed in this bill. But the irony is not lost that the danger we need to protect against is from a federal law enforcement agency, the creation of which was predicated on keeping us safe.
Qualified Immunity
Do you support the Qualified Immunity Abolition Act of 2026 (S. 3625) to remove the legal shield for federal, state, and local officers?
Yes
This is important, but not enough. I would also support legislation giving people the right to sue federal officials for violation of their civil and constitutional rights.
The Dream Act of 2025
Do you support the passage of the Dream Act of 2025?
Yes
This is just basic humanity.
3. Economic Policy & Taxation
Taxation of Wealth
Do you support implementing a wealth tax on the top 1% of earners?
Yes
I absolutely support a wealth tax, but I think it’s important to be clear on what “earners” means. Our income tax is progressive, so the high end of income earners pay a sizable amount in taxes. The biggest problem is the wealth that isn’t taxed at all, such as wealth in the form of stocks that are not sold but instead borrowed against. We need to fix the loopholes in our tax code because the top 1% is hoarding $50 trillion without paying their fair share.
Corporate Outsourcing
Do you support “tax-on-exit” legislation for corporations that move production to foreign countries?
Yes
Corporations enjoy a disproportionate amount of power in this country. Our regulatory structure already favors them; the fact that they can also leverage tax havens to increase profit while not paying their fair share here should not be allowed.
Tariffs
Do you support the use of broad-based tariffs as a primary tool of international policy?
No
Tariffs should be tactical and specific. Broad-based tariffs are not just economically destructive, but they also can erode international relationships – as we are seeing now. There are some tariffs I would support, such as carbon border adjustment mechanisms that impose taxes based on the greenhouse gas intensity of products. If we don’t support cleaner industrial processes and consider our own version of a carbon tariff, domestic manufacturing is going to be crippled as other countries begin to enforce theirs (the EU’s became active this year). Congress has started laying the groundwork for such a tariff by including in a recent appropriations package a directive to the Department of Energy to do a study on the carbon intensity of imports.
4. Foreign Policy
International Accountability
Do you believe Congress should pursue formal investigations or legal action regarding alleged war crimes or extrajudicial killings involving U.S. officials?
Yes
I’m assuming this is referring to incidents such as the bombing of boats in the Caribbean and East Pacific, egregious violations of international law executed without due process. No one should be above the law, including US officials; Congress should absolutely hold them accountable.
Sovereignty & Oversight
Should Congress act to limit U.S. intervention in the sovereignty of other nations (e.g., Venezuela, Greenland, Ukraine, Israel & Gaza)?
Yes
This is incredibly important; it’s imperative that Congress leverages its power over foreign policy much more than it does. Congress has the authority to halt or modify the sale of arms up until the point of delivery – the arms that the US sells end up directly or even indirectly being used in global conflicts such as the Civil War in Sudan or the Israeli government’s genocide in Palestine. I am outraged that Congress has not curbed the administration’s power after it instigated war in Iran for no clear reason, with no clear objective, and with no clear plan for follow-through. We bombed a girls' school, sacrificed American service members, and escalated conflict in the broader region – we have blood on our hands. If Congress does not act now, it will be forced into a position to continue funding this war because it is hard to back out once you get too far in. Not only is this morally corrupt, it is also an irresponsible use of our tax dollars. We need more elected officials who are bold enough to limit the control of military contractors and arms dealers, vote no on the NDAA until the Pentagon passes a full audit, refuse AIPAC money, and truly commit to no more wars.
5. Climate & Environment
Climate Action
What are your top three concrete policy proposals to address the climate crisis while ensuring economic stability for workers in Bucks County?
First, I would support coupling investment in transmission infrastructure with the responsible reduction of red tape for permitting clean energy projects. This would create many jobs directly through these projects, but also indirectly through electrification, as the market is steered by lower electricity costs. It would also increase grid reliability and significantly lower utility bills – electricity costs are too high right now!
Second, I support investing in research, development, and demonstration programs across agencies for economic sectors that are more complex to decarbonize, such as industrial processes and agriculture. This would preserve jobs by ensuring that domestic manufacturing remains globally competitive (see previous answer on carbon tariffs) and that farming remains resilient as weather patterns change.
Third, I would support restoring and increasing funding to programs developing ways to integrate carbon management into our infrastructure in a way that simultaneously supports mitigation and adaptation. This not only creates jobs, but also helps keep our communities safe as we face increased frequency and intensity of events such as floods and wildfires.
Second, I support investing in research, development, and demonstration programs across agencies for economic sectors that are more complex to decarbonize, such as industrial processes and agriculture. This would preserve jobs by ensuring that domestic manufacturing remains globally competitive (see previous answer on carbon tariffs) and that farming remains resilient as weather patterns change.
Third, I would support restoring and increasing funding to programs developing ways to integrate carbon management into our infrastructure in a way that simultaneously supports mitigation and adaptation. This not only creates jobs, but also helps keep our communities safe as we face increased frequency and intensity of events such as floods and wildfires.
6. Leadership & Local Priorities
Party Leadership
If elected, would you support Hakeem Jeffries to continue as House Democratic Leader or someone else? Please explain your reasoning in the context of representing a district like PA-01.
Democratic leadership in both Chambers has been ineffective. This moment demands a different type of energy than we’ve seen from Representative Jeffries. We need someone who is dogged, not afraid to ruffle feathers, who knows the constitution and procedure like the palm of their hand, and who is both creative and tactical. It’s a time to break norms, and frankly, I think many establishment Democrats are not primed for this.
Local Priority
Outside of national headlines, what is the single most important local issue facing Bucks County residents today, and how do you plan to address it?
Our communities cannot afford housing, groceries, utilities, or healthcare — basic needs. There’s a growing awareness that this isn’t about a lack of resources or party affiliation; it’s about a system rigged to concentrate wealth, and consequently power, in the hands of a few. If I were in Congress, I would try to address this in various ways, including tax reform, electoral reform, and support for robust antitrust enforcement. Before getting to Congress, candidates can address this to a large extent through the way we campaign – because after all, it is a model for how we would lead. Running a grassroots campaign and refusing corporate PAC or AIPAC money ensures that, as a candidate, I am serving my community and not beholden to special interests that are intent on keeping the status quo.
Candidate Contact info
Official
related Articles
INTERVIEW: Could Progressive Congressional Candidate Lucia Simonelli Shock PA-01 With a Victory in the May Democratic Primary?
February 7, 2026
No Comments
Simonelli discusses her work in academia, as a climate policy advisor in the U.S. Senate, and as an organizer with a local Indivisible chapter, and how it all sets her apart from the other candidates.
Lucia Simonelli Gives Democrats Another Option in the PA-01 Congressional Primary
December 11, 2025
3 Comments
She joins Bob Harvie, Tracy Hunt and Rob Strickler in the race to take on inumbent Republican Brian Fitzpatrick.
