State Rep. Mike Veon trumpets his connections as a reason for the people of northwestern Beaver County to re-elect him Nov. 7.

As a 22-year legislative veteran and minority whip, the 49-year-old Beaver Falls Democrat is a powerful man, used to working within his party and with Gov. Ed Rendell to bring good things to his 14th Legislative District. And if the Democrats were to win control of the state House while Mr. Rendell was winning re-election, Mr. Veon's connections would mean even more.

"If we're in a majority, that makes me an even stronger partner with Gov. Rendell in his second term," he said.

But that kind of insider politics and power-brokering is exactly what Mr. Veon's opponent, Big Beaver Councilman Jim Marshall, is attacking in an underfunded, front-porch-style campaign.

"He's the epitome of everything that is wrong with this Legislature," said Mr. Marshall, 46. "He talks about experience. Well, the fox has a lot of experience watching hens, but you wouldn't want him in charge of the henhouse."

Mr. Marshall said that, for all of Mr. Veon's influence and for all the money he has handled, Beaver County still struggles to escape the shadow of Big Steel's collapse two decades ago.

"Beaver Falls is a ghost town," he said. Yes, Mr. Veon has helped bring in money for streetscaping, but what does that mean? "We have pretty flowers. But where are all the businesses?" Mr. Marshall asked.

He raised again the specter of the legislative pay raise Mr. Veon helped engineer in the summer of last year, a pay raise later repealed because of voter outrage, with Mr. Veon casting the sole vote against the repeal.

"I won't violate the people's trust," Mr. Marshall said. "I realize that I'd be working for the voters, and would be accountable for the things I say."

Mr. Veon, 49, shrugged off the pay-raise issue, which failed to derail him in an acrimonious but one-sided primary battle.

"In 22 years, there are going to be votes that people disagree with," he said. "I would ask them to look at my overall record over those 22 years and put that vote in perspective."

Many development efforts he fostered are starting to bear fruit, he said. Most towns in the county have benefited from beautification projects, and others are scheduled for it. There are plans in the works for riverfront development, capitalizing on the county's greatest asset, and for business incubators to help new businesses bloom.

He was a key player in getting state support for the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center in Midland. The newly opened center helps house the burgeoning Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School, houses a performing arts charter school that launched this fall and is hosting a variety of other arts programs.

On a larger scale, Mr. Veon said, he partnered with the governor on gambling legislation, "a new industry in Pennsylvania that will bring 50,000 new jobs"; is still battling to get a harness racing track and casino in his district; and worked with the governor on a reduction in property taxes tied to gambling income.

With property tax reform in the works, he said, he's looking forward to using his position to address another issue facing the state: health care. He wants to see better coverage for children and older people, something he can better do if Democrats win a majority. "That's high on my list," he said.

Mr. Marshall said he saw other basic issues that have to be addressed in the state. Based on his experiences helping Big Beaver work with its neighbors, he believes it's crucial to promote cooperation among municipalities and mergers among school districts, along with reductions in the size and complexity of state government.

"We have to gradually change our way of thinking, the Beaver County mentality of keeping all the small boroughs," he said.

Mr. Marshall envisions having three school districts in the county, divided by the rivers, while maintaining most of the high schools. "You could keep the sports rivalries," he said.

He'd like to see the state set up steering committees to pursue such things, backed by mandate power, if necessary.

More mundane issues, however, such as a long list of Veon friends, a burgeoning Veon war chest and a long tradition of Democratic dominance, make the election an uphill battle for Mr. Marshall.

"The people I'm after are those who might be Democrats, but realize the costs of having [Mr. Veon] as a legislator," he said.

Mr. Veon said he was taking this election as seriously as any other he's faced over the years.

"I think the reason successful elected officials are successful is because they know they can never take any election for granted," he said.

"I think this election, for me, has to be about my record. Anytime you have a 22-year record, there's going to be good and bad there, things people agree with and disagree with. I'm just asking people to look at the whole record."

The 14th District covers Beaver Falls, Big Beaver, Bridgewater, Chippewa, Daugherty, East Rochester, Eastvale, Fallston, Freedom, Glasgow, Homewood, Industry, Koppel, Midland, New Brighton, New Galilee, New Sewickley, Ohioville, Pulaski, Rochester borough and township, South Beaver, West Mayfield and White.