For the first time in 26 years, voters in the 46th Legislative District will be electing a new state representative, and the race is heating up as the candidates head for the final stretch.

Republican candidate Paul Snatchko faces Democrat Jesse White in what could be one of the most competitive races in the state. The race could be key to either party, with the GOP holding a nine-seat majority in the state House.

The race features detailed proposals and ideas with two young and experienced candidates, both well-educated and free from the baggage of incumbent pay raises and scandal.

Although there has been some sniping, especially in the blogs maintained by both candidates, the race remains largely issue-driven with little bickering.

Mr. Snatchko, 30, is a McDonald councilman making his third run for the seat, which will be vacated at the end of this year, when 26-year incumbent state Rep. Victor Lescovitz, D-Midway, retires.

The district includes much of northern and western Washington County, including Buffalo, Burgettstown, Canton, Cecil, Chartiers, Cross Creek, Green Hills, Hanover, Hopewell, Independence, Jefferson, McDonald, Midway, Mount Pleasant, Robinson, Smith, South Franklin and West Middletown.

It includes Oakdale and South Fayette in Allegheny County and Hanover and Frankfort Springs in Beaver County.

Although Mr. Lescovitz enjoyed a district with 2-1 Democratic edge for most of his term in office, redistricting in 2001 left him with developing conservative communities and waning popularity among colleagues and constituents.

Mr. White lost to Mr. Lescovitz by 11 percentage points in the 2004 primary, while Mr. Snatchko came within 9 percentage points in 2002 and 5 percentage points in 2004 of unseating the incumbent.

Both candidates say property tax and meaningful reform is the top issue this year.

"Property taxes are the number one issue this year," said Mr. Snatchko, a New York University graduate. "We need to think about the total elimination of school district property tax and it can't be done piecemeal."

Mr. Snatchko said eliminating school property taxes would create a $9 billion hole in the state budget, which, he believes, should be filled by increasing income tax. He doesn't favor an increase or expansion of sales tax, saying as a border region of the state, merchants in the 46th District could suffer.

Such a system would be more fair to seniors, he said, and reforming the school property tax system also could address inequities in rural districts, where teachers earn less and some schools can't afford facilities or music programs.

"Avella School District doesn't have an auditorium," said Mr. Snatchko, a Fort Cherry graduate. "I'm not saying they need a fancy, $7 million Upper St. Clair auditorium, but Avella School District should have a 300-seat auditorium."

Mr. White, 28, a Cecil lawyer making his second run for the seat, said people need meaningful property tax reform.

"I like the progress so far, but I don't think it's gone far enough," said Mr. White, a Washington and Jefferson College and Duquesne University School of Law graduate. "I've always said there's no magic solution for property tax relief. We need to take a realistic approach."

Mr. White said the problems in this region of the state, seniors on fixed incomes, are not the same issues faced by voters elsewhere in the state who might not favor just an increase in income tax.

Mr. White said he would support an increase in income tax on incomes of more than $75,000 a year to reduce school property taxes and a 1 percent sales tax increase, if necessary.

He wouldn't support an expansion of sales tax to other products. "I would oppose expanding the sales tax under any circumstances," Mr. White said.

Both candidates said it was unclear as yet what revenue slot machines will generate and how that will affect property tax reform.

Mr. White, a former Cecil supervisor and co-owner of a coffee shop, said he would support the idea of an "economic resource center" that could employ a grant writer qualified to answer questions, guide and work with small business owners, local government and nonprofits, such as volunteer fire departments.

Mr. Snatchko said infrastructure needs in the 46th District are critical, and that he'd learned much about the issues serving in government.

"Infrastructure is a huge part of what you spend your time on," he said. "These are million-dollar projects."

The candidates debated last week at Burgettstown High School in a forum sponsored by the Washington County League of Women Voters and are expected to meet again for a one-on-one interactive debate at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Chartiers municipal building.

They both support term limits and a smaller Legislature.

Mr. Snatchko favors the abolition of pension packages in favor of 401(k) retirement plans for legislators and reforms on transportation perks, while Mr. White wants to see more health-care and prescription drug options for small-business owners and seniors.

Joseph DiSarro, professor and chair of the department of political science at Washington and Jefferson College, said Mr. Snatchko faces a difficult time because of poor poll numbers for the Republicans at the top of the ticket. Incumbent U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum trails state Treasurer Bob Casey and gubernatorial challenger Lynn Swann is lagging behind incumbent Gov. Ed Rendell.

"That's probably what's working against Snatchko, that this is a Democratic year," he said. "Santorum is hurting in the polls, and that's hurting Snatchko."

Mr. White's defeat of well-funded Democrat Paul Walsh in the primary this year also gave Mr. White momentum and exposure, he said.

Mr. DiSarro said a well-organized and funded media campaign before the election could help Mr. Snatchko. He also will be attractive to socially conservative Democrats and will benefit from the name recognition he's earned in previous campaigns.

"This is a race to watch," he said. "It's going to be an interesting race."

To see Internet blogs for each candidate, visit: paulsnatchko.blogspot.com or supportjesse.blogspot.com.