May 14, 2006 4 min read

In the race to succeed retiring James Shaner as state representative in the 52nd District, the Herald-Standard Editorial board endorses Scottdale businessman Tim Carson on the Democratic ticket and William Earnesty, who works for a defense contractor, on the Republican side. Shaner’s retirement has drawn eight Democrats into the primary election, making that the most crowded race in our coverage area. While nearly any of them would have been a welcomed and viable challenger to Shaner two years ago, only one – Mount Pleasant Mayor Gerald Lucia – took that step. In narrowing down the Democratic field to the best candidate for the times, Carson rose to the top of the pack, although former magisterial district judge Deberah Kula had some strong support, even among those who favored Carson.

We like Carson because, as the founder of his own catering company and as a former Scottdale mayor, we think he’s attuned to the needs and struggles of working families and local governments. A PACleanSweep approved candidate, he correctly says of the state legislature, “They’ve lost touch. They live like rock stars.” His campaign pledges include not voting for any state budget that doesn’t include property tax reform – a novel idea and one that would likely result in solving a perpetually thorny problem if a majority took the same oath.

Carson also favors open records and would make his available, a prerequisite for winning our endorsement that should also be one of your voting standards. He strikes us as sincere, honest and well-grounded, and someone who would put the public interest ahead of personal gain.

Kula has a 31-year record of public service and makes a very polished presentation. She, too, favors open records and lobbyist reform, and strikes us as being honest and sincere. Although she didn’t get a majority of editorial votes, the board slotted her right behind Carson.

Also seeking the Democratic nomination are Lucia, Franklin Township supervisor George Bozek, attorney John Lowery, Dunbar Township tax collector Marigrace Butela, former state Rep. Harry Young Cochran and Connellsville Mayor Judy Reed. Each of them has some merit as a candidate, and in any other year could have easily earned our endorsement against Shaner. It’s a shame that with the exception of Lucia, none of them was willing to step up to the plate and challenge the incumbent.

But in our view, Carson remains the best Democrat to send to Harrisburg, based on his background and strong commitment to change, with Kula a close second.

On the Republican side, Earnesty is our choice over Dr. Richard Grimaldi, the Connellsville dentist who chairs the Fayette County Republican Party. Grimaldi was not able to meet with us; hence, we cannot consider endorsing him.

Earnesty, who also earns points for running against Shaner in the general election two years ago, would clearly bring a working man’s perspective to the halls of Harrisburg, which is a good thing. While we question whether his goals of completely eliminating property taxes and lobbyists are attainable, Earnesty is a man of strong convictions, who correctly notes that he was “a reform candidate before reform was cool.”

Earnesty would “cut out all the perks,” including cars and pensions, and wouldn’t accept a cost-of-living pay adjustment. Not only would he make his records open; he vows to come to your house to show them to you if asked. “They will never have to travel to Harrisburg to see my records,” says Earnesty of his constituents.

If that isn’t refreshing enough as a philosophy, Earnesty vows to never do anything behind closed doors. He won’t use a state car and wants to limit campaign contributions to within a legislator’s own district.

In the area of innovation, Earnesty would give volunteer fire departments a license for a handful of slot machines, letting them keep 50 percent of the proceeds to fund their operations. That sounds like a workable idea, particularly since the state is giving a lot of heavy hitters the chance to enrich themselves through legalized gambling.

Earnesty favors term limits of 10 years for state representatives, along with an across-the-board property tax Homestead Exemption for everyone, the latter of which seems fair. The reform-minded former Air Force veteran also wants to cut the legislature in half.

Earnesty’s not a party politician, and with the exception of Democrat Lucia and himself, he likens the field to buzzards flying over a carcass. “It seems like everybody has dollar signs in their eyeballs now that Mr. Shaner’s decided to retire,” says Earnesty.

We know for certain that’s not the case with Earnesty.