Daley wins nomination
State Rep. Peter J. Daley defeated his challenger and political newcomer Randy Barli in the race for the Democratic nomination in the 49th Legislative District on Tuesday. “I’m very excited, and I’m looking forward to the fall campaign,” Daley said from the Alpine Club in Washington, where he and his supporters celebrated his win.
Tuesday’s primary marks the first time in six years that Daley actually had an opponent in the primary, and Daley said that while he always runs an election as if he had an opponent, he admits that running against someone does “generate more adrenaline.”
Daley, 51, of California has served 22 years as a state legislator and serves as the minority chairman of the agricultural and rural affairs committee.
According to unofficial election results, in Fayette County, Daley received 1,079 (84 percent) to Barli’s 204 (16 percent).
According to unofficial election results in Washington County, Daley led with 3,532 (77 percent) votes to Barli’s 1,084 (23 percent).
Daley said he was very disappointed in the voter turnout, but that he expected the presidential election to generate a “massive turnout” in the fall.
Daley will face Republican Jeffrey Baker of Washington Township in November.
Baker, 43, a civil engineer with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, ran unopposed for the Republican nomination.
The 49th Legislative District covers portions of Fayette and Washington counties, stretching from the Mon Valley to the West Virginia line.
It was changed in the last reapportionment to include more of Washington County and less of Fayette County. It now includes all of Redstone and Brownsville townships, Menallen Township precinct 3 and Washington Township precinct 1.