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Alec Ryncavage

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Alec Ryncavage
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the 119th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2023
Preceded byGerald Mullery
Personal details
Born (2001-03-27) March 27, 2001 (age 23)
Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Residence(s)Plymouth, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Alma materWyoming Valley West High School
Websiterepryncavage.com

Alec Joseph Ryncavage[1] (born March 27, 2001) is an American businessman and politician. He is a Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 119th District since 2023.

Early life and career

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Ryncavage was born on March 27, 2001,[2][3] in Pennsylvania,[4] to Danielle and David Ryncavage, Sr.[5] He was raised Catholic.[6] While still in junior high school, Ryncavage became a freelance web developer, creating his own anti-virus software at age 14.[7][8] He later founded his own cybersecurity company, CYBIOT.[9]

Ryncavage graduated from Wyoming Valley West High School in 2019.[10]

Political career

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In 2019, Ryncavage ran for a seat on the Borough Council of Plymouth, Pennsylvania. His platform included fiscal conservatism and community revitalization.[11][12] He won, becoming at age 18 the youngest person ever elected to the council.[13]

In 2022, Ryncavage announced his intention to run for Pennsylvania State Representative from the 119th District and replace retiring State Representative Gerald Mullery.[9] He won the Republican primary election and went on to defeat Democratic candidate Vito Malacari in the general election.[14][15] At 21 years of age, Ryncavage was the youngest member of the House and the youngest person elected since Michael Cassidy in 1976.[16][17] In the 2024 election, he won with a two-to-one margin against Democratic challenger Megan Kocher.[18]

Political positions

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Ryncavage defines himself as a "moderate Republican" who grew up in a Democratic family in a heavily Democratic hometown.[19]

Abortion

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Ryncavage describes himself as "personally pro-life," but according to himself, has "never supported an outright ban on abortion." He supports exceptions to abortion bans for rape, incest, and protecting the life of the mother.[6] He has indicated support for limiting abortions after 16 to 20 weeks of pregnancy as opposed to Pennsylvania's current limit at 24 weeks.[20] Ryncavage opposes late-term abortions and taxpayer-funded abortions.[6]

Criminal justice and policing

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Ryncavage opposes defunding the police.[21] When running for Plymouth Borough Council, he voiced support for stricter code enforcement.[19] During his time on council, he advocated for hiring more police officers.[22]

In 2022, Ryncavage supported the passage of the Officer John Wilding Law,[23] which made it a felony should bodily harm come to a law enforcement officer as a result of a suspect fleeing arrest.[24]

Education

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Ryncavage supports school choice and advocates for shifting some state funding from schools to individual students to increase access to private schools. He has said, "I'm not advocating for defunding public schools. ... I just think there needs to be a little bit more competition. If you want the quality of education to increase, if you want the price per student cost to decrease, you need to introduce competition."[20]

Elections

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Ryncavage supports voter ID and banning no-excuse mail-in ballots.[21] To lessen concerns about voter fraud, Ryncavage opposes the use of ballot drop boxes but does not believe that there have ever been previous instances of mass voter fraud.[20] In 2024, Ryncavage signed a discharge petition that would force a vote in the State House on a proposed amendment to the Pennsylvania Constitution that would require voter ID.[25]

He supports the implementation of open primary elections as a way to deter political extremism.[26]

Emergency powers and religious gatherings

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In 2024, Ryncavage announced plans to propose legislation permitting religious gatherings during an emergency declaration. The bill came as a response to prohibitions against large public gatherings, including religious services, during the COVID-19 pandemic.[27][28]

Environmental policy

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Ryncavage opposes the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and is against banning natural gas.[21]

Ryncavage wants more state and federal government cooperation to clean up old mining sites. He also supports tax credits and incentives for private businesses to reclaim mine land.[20]

Gun rights

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Ryncavage supports constitutional carry and is a member of the National Rifle Association of America (NRA).[21] He is concerned with red flag laws potentially violating due process.[20]

LGBTQ+

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In 2023, Ryncavage and Representative Aaron Kaufer were the only two Republicans in the State House to vote for an LGBTQ+ anti-discrimination bill. He defended his vote, saying the passage of the bill would deter the state government's implementation of more "radical" measures.[29]

Cannabis

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Ryncavage supports the legalization of cannabis under a "live and let live" philosophy that "empower[s] individuals to make choices about their own lives, as long as those choices do not harm others," provided the state implements sufficient regulatory system in conjunction. He would also support using cannabis-sourced tax revenue to fund state services.[30]

Taxation

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Ryncavage supports the elimination of property taxes and supports expanding the homestead tax exemption;[21][20] he is willing to offset the loss in revenue by increasing sales tax.[20]

Electoral history

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2019 Plymouth Borough Council election[31]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bill Dixon 690 28.51
Democratic John Z. Thomas 667 27.56
Republican Alec J. Ryncavage 592 24.46
Democratic Adam Morehart 454 18.76
Write-in 17 0.70
Total votes 2,420 100.00%
2022 Pennsylvania House of Representatives Republican primary election, District 119[32]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Alec J. Ryncavage 3,378 54.47
Republican Tom Williams 2,816 45.40
Write-in 8 0.13
Total votes 6,202 100.00%
2022 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election, District 119[32]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Alec J. Ryncavage 12,183 55.45
Democratic Vito Malacari 9,772 44.47
Write-in 17 0.08
Total votes 21,972 100.00%
Republican gain from Democratic
2024 Pennsylvania House of Representatives election, District 119[33]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Alec Ryncavage (incumbent) 16,883 64.39
Democratic Megan Kocher 9,297 35.46
Write-in 39 0.15
Total votes 26,219 100.00

References

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  1. ^ "2022 General Election Tuesday, November 8, 2022 Official Returns LUZERNE". electionreturns.pa.gov. Pennsylvania Department of State. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  2. ^ "Alec Ryncavage 🇺🇸 (@alecryncavage)". Twitter. Retrieved 8 January 2023.
  3. ^ Murphy, Jan (January 3, 2023). "Meet the 2023-24 Pa. General Assembly: Diversity, historic firsts and a doc in the House". PennLIVE Patriot-News. Advance Local Media LLC. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  4. ^ "Alec Ryncavage". Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives. Retrieved 14 January 2023.
  5. ^ Buffer, Michael P. (April 17, 2020). "Danielle and David Ryncavage Sr., Alec's parents". The Citizens' Voice. Times-Shamrock. Retrieved 24 April 2023.
  6. ^ a b c O'Boyle, Bill (October 30, 2022). "In 119th Legislative District, it's Malacari versus Ryncavage". Times Leader. Archived from the original on December 23, 2022. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  7. ^ "Meet Alec". AlecForPA. Archived from the original on November 11, 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  8. ^ Guydish, Mark (September 1, 2015). "14-year-old business owner becomes first big donor to Wyoming Valley West foundation". Times Leader. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  9. ^ a b Carroll, Kevin (February 19, 2022). "Ryncavage seeking GOP nomination in 119th". Times Leader. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  10. ^ Grohotolski, Cody (January 6, 2020). "Teenager Sworn in as Plymouth Councilman". WNEP-TV. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  11. ^ O'Boyle, Bill (April 21, 2022). "Ryncavage challenges Williams to debates; he accepts". Times Leader. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  12. ^ DuPuis, Roger (September 28, 2020). "Teen entrepreneur lands $50K investment for WB tech firm". Times Leader. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  13. ^ Blackburne, Carolyn (November 6, 2019). "Youngest Borough Council Member Ever Elected in Plymouth". WNEP-TV. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  14. ^ "Williams concedes to Ryncavage in state house race". WNEP-TV. May 19, 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  15. ^ Carroll, Kevin (November 8, 2022). "Ryncavage, Haddock declare victory in House races". Times Leader. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  16. ^ Kalinowski, Bob (December 28, 2022). "At 21, Ryncavage will become one of youngest legislators in state history". The Citizens' Voice. Times-Shamrock. Archived from the original on November 9, 2022. Retrieved 17 April 2023.(subscription required)
  17. ^ Delano, Jon (April 11, 2023). "Young voters in Pennsylvania are voting in larger numbers than ever". KDKA-TV. CBS News. Archived from the original on April 12, 2023. Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  18. ^ Kalinowski, Bob (November 6, 2024). "Rep. Ryncavage cruises to victory in 119th District reelection bid". The Citizens' Voice. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
  19. ^ a b O'Boyle, Bill; DuPuis, Roger (October 31, 2019). "Four vie for spots on Plymouth council". Times Leader. Archived from the original on November 1, 2019. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  20. ^ a b c d e f g Buffer, Michael P. (December 28, 2022). "Candidates for 119th state House seat both claim they're moderates". The Citizens' Voice. Times-Shamrock. Archived from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  21. ^ a b c d e "Issues". AlecForPA. Archived from the original on November 11, 2022. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  22. ^ Mataloni, Carmella (May 5, 2022). "Three vie for 119th State House District". WNEP-TV. Archived from the original on May 6, 2022. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  23. ^ Ryncavage, Alec (August 6, 2022). "Alec Ryncavage: 119th deserves legislator who believes in safe communities". Times Leader. Archived from the original on August 8, 2022. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  24. ^ "2022 Act 95". Pennsylvania General Assembly. Archived from the original on December 23, 2022. Retrieved 23 December 2022.
  25. ^ "Capitol digest: State senate approves stricter penalties for threats against schools". The Citizens' Voice. April 14, 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  26. ^ Buffer, Michael P. (October 20, 2022). "Candidates debate if family hurts or helps performance as state legislator". The Citizens' Voice. Times-Shamrock. Archived from the original on October 20, 2022. Retrieved 17 April 2023.(subscription required)
  27. ^ Hall, Taylor (January 3, 2024). "Pa. lawmaker introducing bill to protect right to gather for worship in emergency declarations". WPXI. Cox Media Group. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  28. ^ Ryncavage, Alec (January 2, 2024). "Keep Houses of Worship Open Durning States of Emergency | House Co-Sponsorship Memorandum". Pennsylvania General Assembly. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  29. ^ O'Boyle, Bill (May 6, 2023). "Kaufer, Ryncavage stand by LGBTQ bill vote". Times Leader. Archived from the original on May 7, 2023. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
  30. ^ O'Boyle, Bill (September 24, 2023). "Area legislators comment on potential legalization of recreational marijuana". Times Leader. Retrieved 5 October 2023.
  31. ^ "PLYMOUTH BOROUGH COUNCIL". Luzerne County, PA General Election November 5, 2019. www.scytl.us. November 12, 2019. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  32. ^ a b "REPRESENTATIVE IN THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY 119TH LEGISLATIVE DISTRICT". Luzerne County, PA General Election November 8, 2022. scytl.us. December 1, 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  33. ^ "Representative in the General Assembly 119th District". Luzerne County, PA General Election November 5, 2024. Retrieved 13 November 2024.
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