Roberts grabs Democratic nomination
Incumbent State Rep. Larry Roberts comfortably defeated challenger Terry Janosek to capture the Democratic nomination in the 51st Legislative District, according to unofficial results of Tuesday’s primary. With all 34 precincts in the district reporting, Roberts received 4,514 votes to Janosek’s 2,318 votes. Roberts will face Republican Joe Sabatini in the November election to retain his seat. Running unopposed, Sabatini received 1,346 votes in the 34 precincts.
Although he was thankful to all the people who voted for him, Roberts said the result showed that the “Herald-Standard is so far out of touch with the people of Fayette County.” He said he still won “after three years and so many negative articles.”
Roberts, 60, who first took office in 1993, said he could have said negative things about his opponent, but “Larry Roberts likes to take the high road, unlike the Herald-Standard.”
When asked to comment about the campaign, Roberts declined, instead saying, “Talk to my opponent and get his breath of fresh air.”
The Herald-Standard Editorial Board earlier endorsed Janosek for the primary. The paper is also involved in a legal battle to make public Roberts’ taxpayer subsidized cellular telephone records.
Janosek, 48, of McClellandtown was making his first run for public office. “I think it’s a victory for us,” he said of his showing. He added that he only had 1/10 of the advertising budget that Roberts had and he was not as well known.
“I’ll definitely be there in two years. Hopefully, it’s a wake-up call for legislators,” he said.
Janosek added that although it was a very low voter turnout, he was thankful to “all the voters who came out.”
Since winning the seat in 1992 from incumbent Fred Taylor by a slight margin of 4,969-4,681, Roberts has only faced Democratic challengers every other time he has run for re-election and none of the races has been as close.
In 1994, Roberts defeated challengers Joseph Bezjak and now-Fayette County Commissioner Sean M. Cavanagh. Roberts led with 4,969 votes, with the other men receiving 1,931 and 1,903 votes, respectively.
In 1996, Roberts did not face opposition in the primary, after Pat C. Trusio was thrown off the ballot. In 1998, Roberts bested Sean Cavanagh’s younger brother, Michael Cavanagh 3,329 to 1,005 votes.
In 2000, Roberts again faced no opposition in the primary.
Roberts is a disabled veteran who served in the U.S. Air Force after graduating from Uniontown High School in 1959. He received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Bowie State College and a master’s degree in business from Central Michigan University, and he also has several associate degrees. He has worked as a mediator/arbitrator since 1988 and is a licensed pilot.
During the campaign, Roberts named property tax reform as his first priority.
Other legislative priorities for Roberts include completion of the Mon Fayette Expressway and other highway projects, economic development, expansion of the Connellsville Airport, education and PACE. He also promised to continue to be easily accessible to his constituents.
Janosek ran on a campaign of jobs, highway construction and “real tax reform for all and not just the wealthy” as his priorities. He attended Laurel Highlands High School and said he received a diploma from the Labor Academy taught at Penn State. For the past 25 years, he has been employed at Invensys Metering Systems, formerly Rockwell International in general production.
Janosek served in the appointed position of legislative representative for steelworkers for last 21 years and has been president of the Fayette Labor Council for the last three years. He is married and has two daughters and three grandchildren.
The district includes Uniontown; the Bullskin Township 1 precinct; the German Township 1 and 3 precincts, all of Connellsville, Georges, Henry Clay, Nicholson, South Union, Springfield, Springhill, Stewart and Wharton townships; and the boroughs of Fairchance, Markleysburg, Ohiopyle, Smithfield and South Connellsville.