Gregory and Capenos Set To Battle for 80th District House Seat

Republican Jim Gregory, vying for his third term as 80th District state representative, is being challenged for his seat Nov. 8 by Democrat Kimberly Capenos.

According to her Facebook page, Capenos, from Tyrone, is an advocate for people with autism and other disabilities and works to ensure school districts and insurance companies are providing the services people with disabilities need.

Capenos supporters said she is pro-choice, pro-labor, and supports the use of electric cars, solar power and windmills.

Capenos, who previously ran for Tyrone Borough Council, ran unopposed in the May primary.

Gregory, who was first elected to the house in 2018, is a member of the Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee and said one of the bills he is most proud of is the one that allowed the return of whole milk into schools.

Gregory said he is endorsed by the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation, Firearms Owners Against Crime, The National Rifle Association, and several labor and public sector unions.

Gregory said he is working for election integrity, cutting taxes on businesses, and supporting local libraries and fire departments. Gregory said his office rose to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and helped thousands of people who struggled collecting their unemployment benefits.

Gregory said he sponsored a bill to help blind and disabled veterans and continues his fight against the opioid crisis.

Since taking office, Gregory said he has been an advocate for victims of child sexual abuse and sponsored a constitutional amendment that would allow for victims to sue their abusers after the statute of limitations expires.

The measure went on to pass in the legislature twice but must be considered a third time next year due to an error by Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration in failing to properly advertise the amendment, according to Gregory.

Gregory said if elected to a third term, he will continue to focus on election integrity, protecting personal freedoms, agriculture improvements for farm families, improving conditions for veterans, and education reform allowing for more choice for parents of the 80th District.