Kasunic announces he will not seek re-election
After more than three decades of as a state legislator, state Sen. Richard A. Kasunic said Thursday he has decided to trade in the hectic life of a lawmaker for the slower pace of a father and friend.
The long-time Democrat announced that he will not seek re-election and will retire at the end of his term in November.
“It was a tough decision, and one that did not come easily,” he said. “I was pulled in both directions — should I run again or is it time to step down?”
Recounting a conversation he had with a fellow lawmaker, Kasunic said the senator advised him that he had perhaps sought another term in office when it would have been more practical to have called it a day.
“He pointed at me and said, ‘Don’t you stay too long,'” said Kasunic. “I don’t want to stay too long and not have the time to do the things that I have thought about doing.”
Kasunic, 67, was working for Fayette County when he began considering a career in politics.
Kasunic said he was approached one day by representatives of the Miller Brewing Co., who were seeking a new location for its operation.
“I was working in the tax assessment office and assisting them with looking at property maps,” said Kasunic. “I then had the opportunity to accompany them to some of the available sites.
“As they were looking at the properties, they inquired about the availability of water, sewage and limited highway access, and it dawned on me that the county was lacking in those services.
“How were we going to compete for businesses and economic development, if there was not access to water and roads to get their product where it needed to go?”
Kasunic said that he pondered the matter and determined that it did no good to complain.
“I decided I could sit around and grouse about it, or I could roll up my sleeves and do something about it,” he said. “I decided I was going to do something about it.”
His first bid for the office was not successful, and he lost to Harry Young Cochran. A second try in 1982 garnered him a seat in the state House of Representatives.
“My campaign was focused on obtaining water and sewage for our rural communities and, eventually, we began to see new public water supplies and sewage lines being put in,” he said.
When he learned that his boyhood friend and then-state Sen. William Lincoln was going to step down, Kasunic said that it was an opportunity that could not be bypassed.
“I believed being one of 50 in the Senate would be a little easier than one of 203 in the House,” he said. “I thought it would allow me to do more for the district.”
Just two years into his term, his fellow-Democratic senators named him chairman of the Democratic Policy Committee, a position he held until 2010.
“I was very honored to be chosen as chairman, especially because I was only in my first term,” said Kasunic.
The foundation for his seeking office in 1982 stayed with Kasunic, and when the opportunity arose for a new highway that would connect the region with Washington and Allegheny counties, he was among the leaders of the project.
The Mon-Fayette Expressway was the first limited-access, four-lane highway in Fayette County.
“I consider it one of my greatest accomplishments,” he said. “I have also been a part of the expansion of Route 219 in Somerset County.”
Kasunic said that throughout his career he has found that political affiliations are oftentimes forgotten when legislators find a common goal.
“The highway projects brought together both Democrats and Republicans because we knew that this would be beneficial to our districts and the state,” he said. “When we broke down the (political) barriers, we got the work done.”
Kasunic said that he also lent his support to the improvements at the Route 21 and Matthew Drive intersection and anticipates additional expansion work to be done to upgrade the heavily used road in years to come.
“That will be a project for my successor,” he said.
Another highlight of his career is the Bituminous Coal Mine Safety Law, which he authored and continues to be lauded as one of the best underground coal safety laws in the nation.
“I’ve been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to make things better for the constituents in the 32nd District,” said Kasunic.
He additionally helped obtain funding for the construction of the Ohiopyle-to-Connellsville link of the now-Great Allegheny Passage and the rehabilitation of the Southwest Pennsylvania Railroad short line the operates between Smithfield and Connellsville.
“I also fought to maintain Fayette County’s fourth-class status when our population figures dropped in the 2000 census,” said Kasunic.
His senatorial position also called him to stand side by side with mourners and emergency personnel on 9/11 when terrorists hijacked United Airlines Flight 93 and crashed it into a Somerset County farm field and stood and prayed with family members as they awaited news of loved ones trapped beneath the Quecreek Mine, also in Somerset County.
“I remember standing outside the firehall where the (Quecreek) miner’s families were awaiting news,” he said. “I wanted to go in and offer support, but I couldn’t find the words.”
As he stood alone, Kasunic said that a pastor approached him to inquire if he needed help and he shared his concerns.
“He told me we would go in together and pray with the families and it would be alright,” said Kasunic. “It was a miracle. Our prayers were answered.”
It is those memories Kasunic said that he will hold “near and dear” to his heart as he begins a new chapter in his life.
“I have enjoyed my time in office, and I have met some remarkable people,” he said. “I have had the opportunity to make a difference and help many people.
“I am grateful to all those that have supported me over the years, especially my dedicated staff both here in the district and in Harrisburg. It was only with the help and hard work of those folks that I had the opportunity to achieve any of my goals.”
As to what the next chapter holds, Kasunic said it has yet to reveal itself, but it will not include sitting at home.
“I’m not one to sit around,” he said. “I’ve been working for a very long time, whether it was at Pechins (market) or at Anchor-Hocking (glass factory) or in Harrisburg.
“I have my health and there are a few things I’d like to do but never had the time, so I’ll be looking at those opportunities. Perhaps I’ll look at doing some volunteer work.
“One thing I’m sure of, I won’t be a recluse.”