Bartolotta challenged by political newcomer in 46th senatorial district
A 29-year-old real estate attorney decided to run for office after his older brother died of an opioid overdose two years ago.
Democrat James Craig will face off against incumbent Republican state Sen. Camera Bartolotta, 54, who is seeking her second term in office.
“I love what I’m able to do for southwestern Pennsylvania. I’ve had a lot of success in my first term and I’ve been told by many in the know that my office and I has passed more meaningful legislation than any freshman legislator they’ve known in the past three decades,” she said. “We work hard.”
She cited “Tierne’s Law” as her biggest accomplishment. Bartolotta, of Carroll Township, sponsored the bill designed to protect domestic abuse victims, which was signed into law in April. The bill was named for Tierne Ewing, a Washington County resident who was killed by her estranged husband after he posted bail on an offense for kidnapping and torturing Ewing. The bill allows judges more ability to set bail for domestic abusers when they determine a victim is in danger.
“I love what I’m able to do, and there is a lot more that needs to be done. There are a lot of things ready for launch,” she said.
Her goals include ensuring skilled and qualified workers are ready to fill jobs in local industries.
Bartolotta said she has visited high schools, community colleges, and training facilities to enable students to start careers.
“I’m very interested in promoting their programs for students to learn trades and move directly into high-paying jobs right out of high school if they so choose,” she said.
Bartolotta referenced a $3 million grant she secured for renovations at UMWA Career Centers in Ruff Creek, where out-of-work coal miners can receive training in a new career.
She is also in the process of forming a bi-partisan Criminal Justice Reform Caucus to address high rates of incarceration in state prisons and recidivism.
“We want to assist them post-incarceration, to return to becoming productive members of society, to get them back into work, get them back into raising their families, and staying out of prison,” she said.
Craig, of North Strabane Township, said he thinks the state legislature needs “fresh blood.” He said he thinks politicians are standing in the way of progress in addressing the opioid crisis, pointing the finger directly at his opponent.
After his brother’s death, he said he started paying attention to how politicians were responding to high rates of opioid addiction and overdose deaths. He said he observed a flood of press releases and press conferences, but no change.
“They weren’t really doing anything at all, other than scoring political points,” he said.
Among his goals for reversing high rates of addiction are increasing insurance coverage for long-term inpatient rehabilitation stays. Many insurance providers cover 30 days of treatment, while addiction experts say 90 days is necessary. Reducing the number of addicted people, or reducing the market for drugs, would also reduce the number of drug dealers, he said.
Craig also advocated for the legalization of recreational marijuana, saying legalization in other states has resulted in a decrease in opioid addiction. He said economic studies have shown legalizing marijuana would bring $1.1 billion into the state, which he said could fund public schools.
Property tax laws and school district lines are detrimental to education, he said, saying funding should be more centralized. He called school districts in Pennsylvania “artificial segregation” based on class and income.
“What you’re doing, essentially, is making poor school districts poorer and rich school districts richer,” he said.
He said he would advocate for the region’s economy, connecting the district to Pittsburgh more efficiently through infrastructure development. He would also fight to protect unions, he said.
Craig said he would fight to eliminate corruption in the state, introducing bills to reduce term limits, gerrymandering and campaign gifts from lobbyists.
“We need a new crop of officials in Harrisburg,” he said. “Our elected officials have been there too long.”