Feb 19, 2024 3 min read

George “Huck” Rattay, a lifelong resident of Fayette County, announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for the 51st Legislative District seat.

“Fayette County has rewarded me with good fortune,” Rattay said, “and this is now an opportunity to devote my time and energy to help all the county’s residents capture, not just dream of, the success they desire.”

Rattay, who is the chairman of the Fayette County Democratic Party, said that starts by having someone in Harrisburg who knows what it means to serve others and just how rewarding service can be and is necessary to transform communities, to make them better places to live and work.

“I not only ask for the support of everyone to elect me as your representative in Harrisburg but also pledge that, once in office, to work every day and earn the respect given me,” he said.

In preparing for the April 23 primary, Rattay, of Uniontown, said he’s putting together a campaign organization that will be swift and decisive to act and reflect the values of hard-working Fayette residents.

The 51st District includes most of Fayette County, including the city of Uniontown; Georges, German, Henry Clay, Menallen, Nicholson, North Union, South Union, Springhill and Wharton townships, and the boroughs of Fairchance, Markleysburg, Masontown, Point Marion and Smithfield. Charity Grimm Krupa currently represents the district.

Rattay, 76, was born and raised in Edenborn, and graduated in 1965 from German Township High School. A year later, he was drafted into the military, serving in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division, the storied infantry assault unit of the U.S. Army.

Wounded twice in separate actions, Rattay received two Purple Hearts, the military’s oldest medal given to service members wounded or killed in enemy action while serving their country.

Rattay’s long record of service, commitment to helping others and proven leadership go beyond his years in the military.

After leaving the Army, he became an apprentice in plumbers and pipefitters Local 354 based in Youngwood in 1972. Recognized for his leadership abilities, Rattay rose in the union’s leadership ranks to eventually represent the local’s 1,000 members as business manager/financial secretary-treasurer, the union’s highest elected office.

Although now retired as a union labor leader, Rattay said he has not abandoned his commitment to helping others.

“The complex challenges the 51st District and all of us statewide face now and will encounter in the future demand solutions that come from strong, proven leadership,” Rattay said. “I’m ready.”