Roman Kozak knows his history.

He’s a high school history and social studies teacher, who also serves as the chair of the Republican Committee of Beaver County, and is the grandson of four Nazi labor camp survivors who immigrated to the United States after World War II and found jobs in western Pennsylvania.

“They found their life here. They found jobs here. They found a community here, and they were part of the post World War II boom that built this country and helped really restore order in the world,” he told the Capital-Star.

Kozak also has experience with the Pennsylvania General Assembly, previously serving as an aide for former state Rep. Jim Christiana and was the campaign chairman for a pair of successful state representative campaigns.

When state Rep. Jim Marshall (R-Beaver) announced in November 2023 that he wouldn’t seek a ninth term in office, Kozak stepped up and became the only Republican on the ballot for the 14th state House District. He defeated Democrat Kenya Johns to keep the seat in Republican control.

Kozak cited “basic kitchen table issues” as a reason he decided to run for office.

“I think Pennsylvania is going down the wrong path, and there’s a reason we are one of the worst with net population losses in the country, and I think it’s because we’re not competitive,” he said.

The issues page of his campaign website lists several bread-and-butter Republican issues that Kozak supports: school choice; lower taxes and less regulation; supporting law enforcement, and defending the Second Amendment.

When Kozak is sworn in, Democrats will have a one-seat majority in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He believes that there’s “enough common sense Democrats” that want to work together on a wide array of issues, including permitting reform and regulations and support for school vouchers, which he and other supporters have referred to as “Lifeline Scholarships.”

The 14th Legislative District covers northern and eastern Beaver County and includes both urban and rural regions, according to Kozak. 

This interview was lightly edited for length and clarity.

Capital-Star: Tell me a bit about your district, and what makes your district unique. 

Kozak: These river valley communities that exist along the Beaver River here are, generally, have a more small town urban feel, but when you move 10/15 minutes up the hills, you end up in suburbs and in rural areas. 

What’s unique about it is that it really covers a lot of what’s great about Pennsylvania. We have these small river towns that were once industrial, booming towns that are looking to revamp and revitalize themselves, and the rural towns, the agricultural communities that are a significant part of who we are as Pennsylvania, so having that all within this district is something to me that gives me a highlight of what’s important to most Pennsylvanians and the economies that really make this place run, and have made this place run for a very long time.

Capital-Star: What would you say is the most pressing issue in your district?

Kozak: The economy, without a doubt, and what I mean is affordability. 

So I spent hundreds of hours knocking on over 9,000 voters’ doors this past year and across the board, the number one issue was the local economy, not just, you know, there was the economy overall, as far as the cost of groceries, the things that are affecting everybody across the country. But it was also affordability, property taxes, housing prices, job opportunities, there were a lot of people that are feeling that this area is losing some of the opportunities that other places are gaining, and they want to see their children and grandchildren stay here, just like I do. 

Capital-Star: When you’re sworn in, what will be your top legislative priorities? Are there specific bills you’re planning to introduce?

Kozak: I mean, for us in Pennsylvania, it’s really about being competitive with the states around us. We need to, first and foremost, get out of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. It is a ball and chain on our energy industry and the future of our energy energy industry here, we need to support our energy industry. It’s really going to be a significant part of the economic engine that can bring about greater growth in Pennsylvania. 

We need permitting reform. We need to overhaul regulations. It takes, sometimes manufacturers multiple years to get permits here, where it can take them to get those same permits just a few months in another state, another state nearby us. 

Our taxation rates need to be more competitive overall with other states. When we look around the country and compare ourselves to others, we just aren’t competing in those areas, and really that overregulation and permitting is a major problem for us.

Capital-Star: Are there other specific pieces of legislation you hope to introduce?

Kozak: Another thing that I’m very passionate about is education, expanded opportunities for children. So, for me, educational opportunities and educational choice for our families, and giving parents more control of their children’s education is something that I’m really looking forward to supporting as well.