May 15, 2018 By The 3 min read

A Monongahela Democrat will move on to challenge the incumbent Republican in the 49th Legislative District after receiving overwhelming support in Fayette and Washington counties.

Steve Toprani, a 39-year-old attorney, bested Randy J. Barli, 63, of Coal Center, according to unofficial election results.

Toprani received 77 percent of the vote (3,192 votes) across the two counties that make up the district.

In a late night message posted to his campaign’s Facebook page, Toprani thanked his supporters for knocking on doors, working polls and phones and placing signs.

“(Y)ou showed nothing but kindness to me and my family. I’m motivated by your strong showing of support. My gratitude to you all. On to November,” he wrote.

Dems in Washington, which comprises the bulk of the district, gave Toprani 2,820 votes to Barli’s 768 votes. Those Democrats casting ballots in Fayette gave Toprani 372 votes to Barli’s 163 votes.

Toprani will now gear up for the fall, when he will take on incumbent state Rep. Bud Cook, R-West Pike Run Township. Cook won the seat in 2015, and is finishing his first two-year term in the office. Cook was one of several who ran then, hoping to replace retiring longtime legislator Pete Daley.

A former Washington County district attorney, Toprani is a practicing lawyer who also serves as chairman of the Washington County Redevelopment Authority.

In advance of the election, Toprani said he took issue with some of the decisions being made in Harrisburg and felt the 49th and the Mon Valley in particular were overlooked by state legislators.

The husband and father to three said he believed lack of employment opportunities and drugs are the biggest issues facing the district.

“A state legislator has the ability to not only identify grant sources to help drive economic growth in our communities, but also to work with community and business leaders to create more jobs.”

He suggested enhanced penalties for drug dealers and additional training for police officers about addiction were two ways to begin addressing the opioid epidemic.

He said his former role as the county’s chief prosecutor brought with it unique experience to look for solutions.

Barli, a retired licensed electrical contractor and former Democratic committeeman, also served as a councilman in Coal Center. He touted himself as a “troubleshooter” who knows how to fix things.

Barli said bringing jobs back to the area was key to revitalizing the district. He also said continued funding for programs for senior citizens was integral as the district has an older population.