State Rep. James E. Casorio Jr., D-Irwin, will square off against two challengers in the Nov. 7 general election: Republican Joel Reiter, a Westmoreland contractor, and Independent Brian S. Blasko, a 2003 high school graduate.

Mr. Casorio, 42, is seeking his sixth term representing District 56, which includes Irwin, Manor, most of North Huntingdon, North Irwin, Penn and Penn Township. He didn't respond to numerous requests for an interview about his re-election bid.

Mr. Casorio has been involved in a number of issues while in office. In 1997, he helped block a North Huntingdon methadone clinic and proposed building a turnpike interchange at Route 130 and Sandy Hill Road. More recently, he has lobbied to preserve the Monsour Medical Center in Jeannette.

Mr. Reiter, the Republican challenger, said Mr. Casorio's lack of responsiveness led him to run against the incumbent. On his blog, www.joel2006.com, Mr. Reiter says that, a couple of years ago, Mr. Casorio ignored his calls, visits and written pleas for help when he had trouble with a state insurance agency.

"So ... I called his North Huntingdon office," Mr. Reiter writes. "I identified myself and [said] I would like to contribute money to Jim Casorio's campaign. Within two hours ... who should call but Jim Casorio."

Mr. Casorio told him to run for office if he was not happy with "the way he was conducting business," Mr. Reiter continues. "So, here I am, running for state representative."

Mr. Reiter, 37, who lives in North Huntingdon with his wife, Diane, and two young daughters, said he hoped to tackle the following issues:

Lawsuit abuse -- "We have to put a cap on punitive damages."

Workers' compensation -- He would like to end claims for on-the-job back and neck injuries.

Property tax reform --"You've got to do a complete overhaul of the system."

State government -- "Term limits and institute the Sunshine Laws" by instantly posting on the Internet how legislators vote.

Mr. Reiter, who is against abortion, grew up in Monroeville and graduated from Gateway High School in 1988. He finished a degree in labor relations at Penn State in 1993.

Mr. Blasko was named salutatorian at graduation from East Allegheny High School in 2003. He is running as an independent.

A North Versailles native, Mr. Blasko now lives in North Huntingdon with his parents, Cynthia, a former East Allegheny school board member, and Joseph Blasko. He has two older brothers, Joe, 24, and Tim, 23.

He is attending Seton Hill University in Greensburg while also taking classes at the University of Pittsburgh and Saint Vincent College. He hopes to finish a teaching degree by 2007.

On his blog, wwwvoteblasko.com, Mr. Blasko, 21, says he supports:

Gay marriage -- "[Gays and lesbians] are ... entitled to the same rights as everyone else."

Decreased property taxes -- "Cut taxes an average of $220 per property."

More education funding -- "To allow students to attend one of Pennsylvania's ... colleges, universities or trade schools."

Health care -- "Expand [public insurance] programs until all citizens are eligible for health care."

He supports a mandatory motorcycle helmet law, a ban on public smoking, term limits, repealing the slots gambling bill and reducing the state Legislature.