DeWeese re-election bid challenged
A Greene County man said he will stand in Commonwealth Court later this month and argue that state Rep. Bill DeWeese should not be allowed to run for re-election because he has been convicted of felony charges.
A Dauphin County jury last week convicted DeWeese of theft, conflict of interest and conspiracy charges for using taxpayers’ resources for election campaigns.
The court scheduled a hearing in Harrisburg on Travis Barkley’s challenge to DeWeese’s nominating petition for 10 a.m. Feb. 29.
Barkley, of Greensboro, a one-time Republican candidate for Greene County commissioner who is now a Democrat, said he is challenging the affidavit in DeWeese’s petition that states he is eligible to run for office.
He also is challenging DeWeese’s public claims that his conviction doesn’t become official until he is sentenced.
Barkley said he believes the state constitutional ban against people convicted of felonies serving in the Legislature takes affect upon conviction.
“If you’re convicted, you can’t run. It’s that simple,” Barkley said.
He said it was “repugnant” that DeWeese would seek re-election following his conviction.
“I know Travis and I do respect him. Like me, he wore the uniform of a U.S. Marine in his youth. One has to salute anybody who feels strongly about an issue and I would hope Travis would understand my motivation,” DeWeese said. “I did not sign my own petitions. Almost 1,300 of our friends, neighbors and supporters did affix their signatures to my nominating petitions within the last three weeks. Hundreds came from the area near where Travis resides.
DeWeese continued, “Where I am privileged to be seated in the hall of the House I am surrounded by a group of both Democrats and Republicans. These representatives were conveying 500, 600, 700 signatures to the bureau of elections over the last several days and they were stunned that under my very challenging circumstances I still had a lot of folks that are utterly loyal and trying to help me.
“I have the utmost respect for the judge and the jury,” said DeWeese. “Two hundred and twenty-four years ago the appeals courts were enshrined in our Constitution by our founding fathers. For over two centuries every day across America appeals courts review lower court decisions.”
“My case may be what the lawyers call a case of first impression. In other words, this situation may not have happened before in Pennsylvania history. Appellate courts will make the final decision. I believe I will be vindicated.”
Challenges to nominating petitions of a Legislative candidate must come from a registered voter in the candidate’s political party and district, and must be filed in Commonwealth Court by Feb. 23, according to the Department of State, which oversees state elections.
Barkley said he plans to argue his case in court himself.
“I fully intend to try this myself,” Barkley said.
He also filed a petition asking the state Supreme Court to find DeWeese ineligible for re-election.