Project Vote Smart tries to survey Pennsylvania politicians.

Project Vote Smart has sent every primary candidate in Pennsylvania a survey that aims to find out where they stand on issues that could come before them if they are elected. The survey starts with the question, “Are you willing to tell citizens your stance on issues you will likely face if elected?” If they say “yes” there are three pages of questions that follow. One set of questions focuses on state issues another deals with national issues. The questions hit on broad topics such as gun control and abortion but do not talk about specific legislation. Mike Wessler is the spokesperson for Project Vote Smart. He says the number of candidates responding has been dropping over the last 10 years. 2 years ago only 33 percent of Pennsylvania candidates responded. That compares to 48 percent nationally. In 1996 69-percent of Pennsylvania candidates responded. The national number that year was 72 percent. Wessler says the response rate among democrats and republicans is about even but incumbents are less likely to respond than challengers. The candidates have until April 9th to respond.