The Democratic candidates for Lieutenant Governor took the stage at the Pennsylvania Democrat’s State Committee Winter Meeting this evening.

The forum was hosted by the Women’s Caucus and featured Bradford County Commissioner Mark Smith, former Congressman Mark Critz, State Rep. Brandon Neuman, State Senator Mike Stack, Harrisburg City Councilman and former City of Harrisburg advisor Brenda Alton.

They didn’t disagree on much, or anything, really but several tried to promote the importance of their geographic advantage.

“I’m the only candidate who’s won votes in the “T”,” Smith said, referring to the area of the state outside of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.

Critz also promoted his Western PA location.

The candidates agreed on expanding Medicaid, pushing for tougher air quality controls and allowing local governments to provide paid sick leave.

Education and jobs were frequent topics through each of the long-winded and specific questions.

“We need to reinvenst in our children, we spend more incarcerating inmates than educating our children,” Smith responded to a question about background checks for individuals working in children’s services.

On the same question, Neuman and Stack discussed legislation that they were working on to make expungement for nonviolent offenders easier in the state. Critz proposed a similar policy.

In addition to geographic advantages, several talked about the importance of their experience.

“It’s important that we have someone who understands the legislature,” Neuman said. Stack had a similar response and Critz said that his ability to win in competitive elections was a major advantage of his.

One candidate that presented thorough and progressive responses was Koplinski. He talked about the single payer model of Vermont, increasing credits for solar energy, closing the Halliburton Loophole, his union experience and the advantages of fully utilizing the Local Government Commission.

Alton appeared to resonate with the women in the room as she talked about expanding the role and access of women in the state.

“I’m the only female who is pushing for advancement,” she said. “We need to make sure that we’re in elected office and also on the pay scale.”