Voters face choices at ballot box
While the presidential races in today’s primary have already been decided, local voters will face a host of choices in a number of other state and federal elections. On the Republican ballot, incumbent George W. Bush is the only candidate for president. John Kerry has sewn up the Democratic Party’s nomination for president but he faces token opposition on the ballot from Howard Dean, Dennis J. Kucinich, John Edwards and Lyndon H. Larouche Jr.
There are much more interesting races on the state level, where Fayette County is bucking a statewide trend. While only 32 of the 203 members in the state House of Representatives are facing election challenges in today’s primary, four of the six lawmakers representing parts of the county are being opposed at the polls.
The most interesting race features incumbent state Rep. Larry Roberts (D-South Union Twp.), and political newcomer Tim Mahoney battling for the nomination in the 51st Legislative District. Roberts, who is seeking his seventh term in the state legislature, succeeded in getting Mahoney thrown off the ballot last month for improperly filing his campaign paperwork, but the Uniontown businessman has vowed to run an aggressive write-in campaign.
If unsuccessful today, Mahoney said he will run against Roberts as an independent candidate in the fall elections. Also running in the fall will be Republican Harry Albert, who’s unopposed on the GOP ballot.
Another interesting race is in the 52nd Legislative District where Democratic state Rep. James Shaner is being challenged by Mount Pleasant Mayor Gerald D. Lucia. Shaner is seeking a sixth term in Harrisburg. The winner will square off against Republican William R. Earnesty, 32, of Connellsville in the fall election.
Two other Democratic Party races round out the legislative contests. Incumbent Peter J. Daley, 53, is being challenged by Randy J. Barli, 48, of Coal Center in the 49th Legislative District and incumbent Ted Harhai, 49, of Monessen is squaring off against Dan Reppert, 48, of Belle Vernon in the 58th District.
Republican Jeffrey J. Baker, 43, of Belle Vernon is running unopposed in the 49th Legislative District. No Republican filed in the 58th District.
Lawmakers running unopposed are state Rep. H. William DeWeese, 54, of Waynesburg and Republican Jess Stairs, of Acme. Neither faces opposition in the general election either.
Democrats and Republicans have contested races in statewide elections for attorney general. Democrats seeking the post are John Morganelli, 48, of Bethlehem, David Barasch, 55, of Harrisburg, and Jim Eisenhower, 46, of Philadelphia. Fighting for the GOP nomination are Montgomery County District Attorney Bruce Castor, 42, of Lower Salford and former U.S. Attorney Tom Corbett, 54, of Shaler.
Democrat Bob Casey Jr, 44, of Scranton and Republican Jean Craige Pepper, 49, of Erie are running unopposed for state treasurer while Jack Wagner, 56, of Beechview and Joe Peters, 47, of Scranton are doing likewise for auditor general.
There are two hotly contested Republican races on the federal level. Seeking a fifth term in the U.S. Senate, Arlen Specter, 74, of Philadelphia is being challenged by Pat Toomey, 42 of Zionsville, who has served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives.
In the ninth Congressional District, which includes mostly eastern Fayette County, two-term Republican incumbent Bill Shuster, 43, of Hollidaysburg is being challenged by Michael Delgrosso, 34, of Tipton.
Joseph M. Hoeffel, 53, of Abington, who has served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, is running unopposed for the U.S. Senate. Paul Politis, 55, of Greencastle is the lone candidate for the Democratic nomination in the 9th Congressional District.
U.S. Rep. John Murtha (D-Johnstown) is running unopposed in the 12th Congressional District and he’s virtually guaranteed of victory in the fall as no Republicans are on the ballot.
In addition to casting votes for president, voters will be also electing delegates to the upcoming Democratic and Republican national conventions. The delegates will actually choose the nominees for president and vice president and help write the platforms for their parties.
Most of the delegate races are uncontested but there are a few spots up for grabs. Four men are running for three seats in the 12th Congressional District. They are Fayette County Commissioner Vincent Vicites, Greene County Commissioner David Coder, Ernie Esposito of Stonycreek Township and Frederick Berestecky of Donora.
Three women are running for two nominations in the same district. They are Greene County Commissioner Pay Snyder, Rita Yantko of Menallen Township and Rose Skwara of Unity Township.
Five Republicans are running for three nominations in the 12th district. They are Fayette County Republican Party Chairman Chris Sepesy, Bill Choby of Westmont, Bill Harris of Richland Township, Kathy Lehman Holtzman of Richland Township and Stuart Z. Keckler of Washington.
Also on the ballot is a referendum, asking voters if they favor the state taking out a $250,000,000 bond for the construction, expansion or improvement of water and sewage treatment systems.
The polls are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.