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Listed for each candidate is his or her name, age and hometown or home county; and the candidate's Web site, campaign e-mail address and campaign phone number (provided that the information was made available). Many of the candidates have extensive Web sites with detailed information about the candidate's background and issue positions. Also listed, where applicable, are selected Post-Gazette articles about the campaign. Note: (I) denotes incumbent
PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE
8th District
Part of Butler County and part of Mercer County .
No candidate
724-458-6494
Part of Beaver County, part of Butler County and part of Lawrence County .
Jaret Gibbons, 26, Ellwood City
724-824-8732
Chuck Morse, 55, Slippery Rock Township
724-602-1446
In a contest driven by voter anger over the legislative pay raise, Mr. Gibbons, a political newcomer, ousted 20-year incumbent Frank LaGrotta in the May primary. He has worked as an aide to state Sen. Jay Costa and as a project manager for Moon Township's finance department and taught mentally challenged children. He promises to push for better access to health insurance, lobbyist accountability and term limits for lawmakers.
Mr. Morse owns a small business, Camp Norman Associates, working in the TV production industry as a producer, director, writer and cameraman for 16 years. He served as press secretary in three statewide campaigns and worked in community relations for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for six years. He favors reducing the House from its current 203 members to 134 and making it a part-time body, with a maximum of 90 days of sessions per year and cutting members' pay in half. He would increase the term of office to four years, but limit House members to no more than three terms.
-- Jon Schmitz
Part of Butler County including the city of Butler, the townships of Buffalo, Butler, Clearfield, Connoquenessing, Donegal, Oakland, Summit and Winfield and the boroughs of Chicora and East Butler.
Bill Neel, 69, Butler
724-290-1983
Brian L. Ellis (I), 36, Butler Township
724-482-4311
The contest pits a liberal Democrat against the favored incumbent, a conservative Republican who survived the voters' ire in the primary.
Mr. Neel likened his race against Mr. Ellis to "running in neutral with my foot on the accelerator."
Mr. Neel is pro-abortion rights, anti-Bush, in favor of gay civil unions and against state legislation that attacks illegal immigration.
Mr. Ellis is anti-abortion, a Bush supporter, is against gay marriage and has supported just about every effort to block illegal immigration -- including resolutions that would make it a criminal offense to hire or rent to an illegal immigrant.
Mr. Ellis survived a primary election challenge when many of his colleagues in the state House were ousted by voters angry with the Legislature's midnight maneuver to secure a hefty pay raise. Mr. Ellis voted against the raise. -- Karen Kane
"11th District features sharp contrast of views," Oct. 19.
Part of Butler County, the townships of Adams, Clinton, Cranberry, Forward, Jefferson, Middlesex and Penn and the boroughs of Callery, Connoquenessing, Evans City, Mars, Saxonburg, Seven Fields and Valencia.
No candidate
Daryl Metcalfe (I), 43, Cranberry
Part of Beaver County consisting of the city of Beaver Falls and the townships of Chippewa, Daugherty, Pulaski, Rochester, South Beaver, White and part of New Sewickley and the boroughs of Big Beaver, Bridgewater, East Rochester, Eastvale, Fallston, Freedom, Glasgow, Homewood, Industry, Koppel, Midland, New Brighton, New Galilee, Ohioville, Rochester and West Mayfield.
Mike Veon (I), 49, Beaver Falls
724-847-2050
Jim Marshall, 46, Big Beaver
724-513-9825
In a typical year, this race would be a slam dunk, pitting Mr. Veon, a 22-year veteran and minority whip, against little-known Republican Mr. Marshall, a Big Beaver Borough councilman.
But this may not be a typical year.
"He's the epitome of everything that is wrong with this Legislature," Mr. Marshall said of his opponent, who helped engineer last year's controversial legislative pay raise and cast the sole vote against repealing it.
Mr. Marshall is advocating streamlined government at the local level, with the state encouraging cooperation and even mergers among municipalities and school districts.
Mr. Veon, meanwhile, is trumpeting the good things his position can bring if Democrats win control of the Legislature and Gov. Ed Rendell is re-elected.
"If we're in a majority, that makes me an even stronger partner," he said.
Much of Mr. Veon's efforts lately have focused on honing slots legislation and seeking a harness track and casino for Beaver County, along with a host of economic development initiatives at home.
He said with property tax reform being addressed, he is hoping to focus next on the question of providing health care for more Pennsylvanians.
-- Brian David
"Veon touts connections, Marshall attacks them," Oct. 5.
Part of Beaver County consisting of the townships of Brighton, Center, Greene, Hopewell, Independence, Patterson, Potter, Raccoon and Vanport and the boroughs of Beaver, Georgetown, Hookstown, Monaca, Patterson Heights, Shippingport and South Heights.
Vince Biancucci (I), 66, Center
412-327-5373
Todd Hockenberry, 40, Beaver
724-494-8689
Economic development is the key issue.
In a nutshell, Mr. Biancucci thinks the present efforts are working, albeit slowly. Mr. Hockenberry is looking for a revolution, with the state revamping business taxes and regulations to encourage innovation.
"We have to change the culture, the environment for business in Pennsylvania," he said.
In Beaver County, Mr. Hockenberry said, key issues include brownfields development -- encouraging the use of the county's abandoned industrial sites -- and connectivity, making the county a leader in high-speed Internet and wireless capability.
"I consider it similar to power lines and roadways," he said.
Mr. Biancucci, however, thinks the team he's on with Gov. Ed Rendell, state Rep. Mike Veon and other local Democratic leaders is paying dividends, with economic stimulus packages showing up in the blossoming retail district in Center Township and more than 50 other projects.
He draws on 17 years as an aide to his predecessor, Nick Colafella, and his four years in office in believing the area is turning in the right direction.
"We're on the road to progress in Beaver County," he said. "It's slow, but it's working."
Mr. Biancucci said he is hoping to turn his attention next to health care, supporting and refining Mr. Rendell's "Cover All Kids" proposal. -- Brian David
"Foes differ on friendliness of business climate," Oct. 12.
Part of Allegheny County consisting of the townships of Crescent, Leet and part of Ross and the boroughs of Bell Acres, Bellevue, Leetsdale and part of Franklin Park ; and part of Beaver County consisting of Aliquippa, Harmony Township and the boroughs of Ambridge, Baden, Conway and part of Economy .
Sean M. Ramaley (I), 31, Economy
Part of Allegheny County consisting of Pittsburgh Wards 1, 3, 5, 22, and parts of Wards 2, 4, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 25, 26, 27 and 30.
Jake Wheatley (I), 34, Hill District
Part of Allegheny County consisting of Pittsburgh Wards 6, 9, 23, 24 and parts of 2, 10, 25, 26, 27; parts of Reserve and Ross townships; and West View borough.
Don Walko (I), 53, North Side
Bill Stalter, 55, Reserve
412-931-2197
Jim Barr, 53, West View
412-931-5286
Mr. Walko's positions differ significantly from his challengers' as he tries to win a seventh term.
The incumbent favors increasing the personal income and sales taxes to reduce property taxes; a dedicated source of funds for mass transit that could include an increase in the tire tax; a woman's right to choose abortion; and a statewide ban on smoking in public places.
Mr. Stalter would eliminate property taxes completely by expanding the sales tax to include food and clothing; support dedicated funding for mass transit but doesn't have a specific plan; outlaw abortion except in cases of rape, incest or health of the mother; and oppose statewide action against public smoking.
Mr. Carr, a Constitution Party candidate, supports government involvement only in those items specifically included in the U.S. Constitution.
-- Ed Blazina
Part of Allegheny County consisting of Pittsburgh Wards 8 and parts of 7 and 10; parts of the townships of Reserve, Ross, Shaler and O'Hara; and the boroughs of Etna, Millvale and Sharpsburg.
Lisa Bennington, 30, Morningside
412-628-6060
Part of ALLEGHENY County consisting of Pittsburgh Ward 19 and parts of 18, 20, 21 and 32; Baldwin Township; and Castle Shannon borough and part of Whitehall.
Chelsa Wagner, 29, Beechview
412-207-7908
Michael B. Diven (I), 36, Brookline
412-531-4891
Mr. Diven is seeking his fourth term as a state representative, but it's his first attempt to win as a Republican. He switched from Democrat to Republican last year in an unsuccessful bid for the state Senate seat that became vacant when Jack Wagner was elected auditor general, but his falling out with Democratic leaders dates to 2001, when he objected to the way redistricting lines were drawn after the 2000 census. He claims he has been welcomed by the GOP, which is in the majority, and has used that to benefit the district.
Ms. Wagner, the auditor general's niece, is making her first bid for office after working for a Virginia-based firm that helps state and local governments solve problems and as a plaintiff's attorney locally. She favors a constitutional convention to reduce the size of the Legislature. She claims Mr. Diven has voted 90 percent of the time with GOP leadership, which she said doesn't match with the heavily Democratic district. Although she's from a powerful Democratic family, she said she will be an independent voice.
-- Ed Blazina
Part of Allegheny County consisting of Pittsburgh parts of Wards 4, 7, 14 and 15.
Dan B. Frankel (I), 50, Squirrel Hill
412-877-9147
Part of Allegheny County consisting of Pittsburgh Wards 11, 12, 13 and part of 14; and the boroughs of Aspinwall and Wilkinsburg.
Joseph Preston Jr. (I), 58, East Liberty
412-661-6261
No candidate
Todd Elliott Koger, Wilkinsburg
Mr. Preston is seeking his 13th term after surviving a close primary race that wasn't decided until several weeks after the election.
No Republican filed in the heavily Democratic district and his only challenger is Independent Todd Elliott Koger. Mr. Koger has run for office unsuccessfully numerous times.
-- Ed Blazina
Part of Allegheny County consisting of part of North Versailles and the boroughs of Monroeville, Pitcairn, Wall, part of Plum and the Allegheny County portion of Trafford; part of Westmoreland County consisting of t East Murrysville, South Murrysville and West Murrysville and the Westmoreland County portion of Trafford .
Joseph F. Markosek (I), 56, Monroeville
412-298-7711
Ed Nicholson, 48, Monroeville
412-600-8079
Voters again will choose between a Republican who is a newcomer to politics and a veteran Democrat seeking his 13th term. Republican Ed Nicholson, a teacher at the Greater Works Outreach Bible School and support services technician for Community College of Allegheny County Boyce campus, unsuccessfully challenged Mr. Markosek two years ago.
Mr. Nicholson sees Allegheny County's population decline as an issue he could help remedy on the state level but he would also cut spending. Public transportation and helping Pittsburgh out of its financial problems are not priorities.
Improving the state's education outcomes is a priority. He feels raising educational goals while lowering property taxes is possible.
Mr. Markosek sees transportation as one of the biggest issues. Highways, including the ongoing $60 million Route 22 rebuilding project and the promised Route 286 widening project along with public transportation, are issues, he said. -- Judy Laurinatis
"Markosek seeks 13th term in 25th District," Sept. 28.
Part of Allegheny County consisting of Pittsburgh Ward 28 and part of 20; Neville Township and part of Stowe; and the boroughs of Avalon, Ben Avon, Crafton, Dormont, Emsworth, Glenfield, Ingram and part of McKees Rocks .
Thomas C. Petrone (I), 69, Crafton Heights
412-498-0614
Bill Ogden, 45, Crafton
412-928-0724
Mr. Ogden said he was inspired to run because of the legislative pay raise that Mr. Petrone voted for and accepted.
Mr. Ogden, a personal trainer and gym owner, said he objected to the fact that Mr. Petrone, a 13-term incumbent, and the rest of the Legislature introduced and approved the raise in the middle of the night.
Mr. Petrone has said he argued against the raise behind closed doors, voted for it, accepted it, gave the proceeds to the families of two servicemen who were killed in Iraq, voted to repeal it and is now paying it back in installments. He said he knows approving and taking the raise was wrong.
Both support a shift from property taxes to increased sales and income taxes. Both also vowed to clean up blighted areas of the district.
Mr. Petrone said he is in favor of giving more state funds to the city of Pittsburgh to help with its financial problems. Mr. Ogden said he would provide support to Pittsburgh only to help clean blighted areas.
Both men favor term limits for legislators, with Mr. Ogden recommending 12 years and Mr. Petrone saying the issue should be decided at a constitutional convention.
Both candidates favor a reduction in the size of the Legislature. Mr. Ogden said a 30 percent reduction would work. Mr. Petrone said the Legislature could be cut in half.
-- Mary Niederberger
"GOP drafts Ogden to challenge Petrone," Oct. 19.
Part of Allegheny County consisting of the townships of Marshall, McCandless, Pine and Richland and the boroughs of Bradford Woods and part of Franklin Park .
John Henry, 36, Richland
Mike Turzai (I), 47, Bradford Woods
friendsofmiketurzai@verizon.net
412-635-6108
The candidates disagree on what anticipated gambling revenues will mean for property tax relief.
Mr. Henry said he opposes any plan that would replace school real estate levies with higher sales or income taxes. Profits from the new slot machine parlors planned across the state should provide enough money to trim property taxes, he predicts.
Mr. Turzai counters that so many promises have been made for allocating anticipated gambling profits that it is unlikely that enough money will remain to achieve meaningful cuts in school taxes.
A 1 percent increase in the state sales tax would raise about $1.5 billion annually, he said. That money would be used to offset an equal reduction in real estate taxes, Mr. Turzai said.
Both candidates said they would back efforts to trim the size of the state Legislature and to reduce state spending.
-- Len Barcousky
"Candidates in 28th House race differ on how to reduce real estate taxes," Oct. 12.
Part of Allegheny County consisting of Hampton and Fox Chapel and parts of O'Hara, Ross and Shaler.
Shawn T. Flaherty (I), 47, Fox Chapel
412-486-6416
Randy Vulakovich, 56, Shaler
412-492-9020
Property tax reform is at the heart of the campaign.
Mr. Flaherty, who won a special election to hold the seat until January, wants to eliminate school property taxes on private residences. Education costs could be shifted to a combination of higher personal income and expanded or higher sales taxes, he said.
Under his plan, districts could continue to tax commercial properties. That non-uniform taxation, however, would require a change in the state constitution.
Mr. Vulakovich supports a less-sweeping proposal. He favors broadening the sales tax to cover more items, using those new dollars to trim school tax rates. He also would back capping property taxes for senior citizens and disabled homeowners.
Mr. Vulakovich said he worried that if most school taxes were raised via state taxes, politicians in Harrisburg would have too much control over local education.
Both candidates have been meeting voters during door-to-door campaigns. In his successful primary fight and in the fall election, Mr. Vulakovich has made special efforts to overcome his smaller campaign budget via shoe leather. -- Len Barcousky
"30th District candidates have no argument over need for property tax changes," Oct. 12.
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