Eric Settle
Forward Party
What is one life experience you have that voters should know about?
At the age of 45, my job as Chief Counsel of United Healthcare of Pennsylvania was unexpectedly eliminated. As is often said, when one door closes, another opens, which gave me the opportunity to lead an effort for the successful passage of Act 62, a law that requires insurance companies to pay for services for kids with autism. Using all the unique skills that I had developed as Deputy General Counsel to Governor Tom Ridge and as a general counsel in the health insurance industry, I was able to work with autism advocates, impacted families and legislative leaders to create a law that improved the lives of tens of thousands of Pennsylvania children and their families. And 16 years later, it is satisfying to know that Act 62 is still there to help a family who today learns that they are impacted by this difficult condition. It reminds all of us that government can make a real difference in the lives of its citizens and as Attorney General, I will continue my record of service and use all my talents to make a difference in the lives of all Pennsylvanians.
What sets you apart from other candidates?
I am the only candidate for Attorney General that can be truly independent. I am not beholden to either major party. I can review any issue and determine what is best for the Commonwealth. And this January in the event of an election challenge that is likely, I am un-conflicted and will only seek to protect democracy regardless of the winner. I am also the only candidate that has served as an attorney at the highest levels of state government AND the private sector. I also have a unique expertise in healthcare which will allow me to effectively oversee the continued efforts to protect Pennsylvania’s non-profit hospitals to help ensure healthcare access throughout the Commonwealth. Finally, I bring a broad set leadership skills from my decades’ long experience in business, charity and government to effectively lead the Office of Attorney General.
How do you plan to work across ideological lines to achieve shared goals?
As mentioned above, my work on Act 62, required me to work closely with legislative leaders of both parties to achieve a compromise bill that was acceptable to a Republican led Senate (including now Senate Majority Leader Pittman) and a Democratic led House (including then Deputy Speaker Shapiro). The result was a law that is still one of the best in the nation and example of how the legislature and the Governor can act in a bi-partisan manner for the benefit of its citizens. As an independent attorney General, I can use my freedom from either parties’ ideological demands to seek to administer justice and achieve solutions that are in the best interest of all Pennsylvanians. Neither of my opponents will be able to establish that level of independence.
How do you envision the role of Attorney General interacting with other branches of government to effectively serve the interests of the Commonwealth?
The Attorney General should serve as a leading voice in advocating for public safety and consumer protection. As Attorney General, I will work with legislative leadership to assist them in drafting the appropriate legislation to achieve these goals. In accordance with Commonwealth Attorney’s Act, as Attorney General, I will effectively coordinate with the Governor’s Office of General Counsel, where I once served, to help ensure that the state agencies under our joint jurisdiction have adequate legal resources to achieve their statutory obligations. As Attorney General, I will also be a leader that works with the District Attorneys of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties to help them to be effective in their roles and provide additional support where justice demands it. Finally, as Attorney General, I will forge a cooperative relationship with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and its lower courts with the goal of ensuring that that justice is fairly administered throughout the Commonwealth.
The Committee of Seventy has partnered with the Carter Center to promote the Candidate Principles for Trusted Elections (www.principledcandidates.org) to improve the voting process, encourage honest leadership, and promote civic engagement. Do you support the Candidate Principles?
Yes
