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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
32nd District
Part of Allegheny County consisting of the township of Penn Hills and the boroughs of Blawnox and Verona and part of Plum .
Anthony M. DeLuca (I), 69, Penn Hills
412-793-8561
No candidate
Part of Allegheny County consisting of the townships of East Deer, Fawn, Frazer, Harmar, Harrison, Indiana, Springdale and West Deer and the boroughs of Brackenridge, Cheswick, Oakmont, Springdale and Tarentum and part of Plum.
Frank Dermody (I), 55, Oakmont
724-274-9210
Eileen Watt, 41, Cheswick
724-274-0494
The candidates disagree on many issues, but do have common ground on support for a dedicated source of funding for public transportation and a reduction in the size of the Legislature.
Mr. Dermody, seeking a ninth term, is a former prosecutor and district judge. He has acknowledged the legislative pay raise he voted for in July 2005 was a mistake.
Ms. Watt resigned her Allegheny County Council seat in February to run against Mr. Dermody.
Mr. Dermody favors the elimination of property taxes to fund schools, a system he said leads to inequity in educational opportunities. He would replace the lost revenue with increases to income, sin and sales taxes. Ms. Watt would increase sales and wage taxes, but does not believe the elimination of property taxes could be accomplished.
Ms. Watt opposes a statewide smoking ban because she said the state should not be in the business of telling owners how to run their businesses. Mr. Dermody favors a ban, including in casinos, with an exemption granted to private clubs.
Both candidates favor legislation that would prohibit votes by the General Assembly between midnight and 8 a.m. to prevent questions about public input raised after the middle-of-the-night pay raise vote.
-- Mike Bucsko
"Challenger chides contrite incumbent on pay raise," Oct. 26.
Part of Allegheny County consisting of parts of Pittsburgh's Ward 14 and the township of Wilkins and part of North Versailles and the boroughs of Braddock, Braddock Hills, Chalfant, Churchill, East McKeesport, Edgewood, Forest Hills, North Braddock, Rankin, Swissvale, Turtle Creek and Wilmerding.
Paul Costa (I), 47, Wilkins
No candidate
Part of Allegheny County consisting of Duquesne and part of McKeesport and the townships of South Versaillies and parts of Elizabeth and North Versailles; and the boroughs of East Pittsburgh, Homestead, Lincoln, Munhall, Versailles, Whitaker and White Oak and part of West Mifflin.
Marc J. Gergely (I), 36, White Oak
No candidate
Part of Allegheny County consisting of Pittsburgh Wards 29, 31 and parts of 16, 17, 18, 30 and 32; and the boroughs of Brentwood, Mount Oliver, West Homestead and parts of Baldwin and Whitehall.
Harry Readshaw (I), 65, Carrick
No candidate
Part of Allegheny County consisting of part of McKeesport and the boroughs of Dravosburg, Glassport, Liberty, Pleasant Hills, Port Vue and part of Baldwin and West Mifflin .
Bill Kortz, 51, Dravosburg
412-466-2766
Daniel J. Davis, 42, West Mifflin
412-327-3320
Two candidates who have never held public office, Mr. Kortz and Mr. Davis face off in the 38th District, where longtime politicians were swept away in the Democratic primary.
Both call themselves agents of change. Both want to reduce the size of the Legislature, impose term limits and initiate tax reforms.
As a Democrat, Mr. Kortz enjoys an overwhelming advantage over Mr. Davis in the district, which has a 3-1 Democratic registration edge.
As a political novice, running as a PA Clean Sweep candidate, Mr. Kortz was the surprise winner of the Democratic primary. He defeated incumbent state Rep. Kenneth Ruffing and former Allegheny County Councilman C.L. "Jay" Jabbour.
Mr. Kortz is an operations manager at the U.S. Steel Irvin Plant, where he has worked for 29 years.
Mr. Davis is a senior environmental project manager for L. Robert Kimball & Associates, where he has worked for 18 years. He was unopposed in the primary. Previously, he ran unsuccessfully for West Mifflin school board and borough council.
-- Jan Ackerman
"Candidates promise they will make changes," Oct. 26.
Part of Allegheny County consisting of the city of Clairton and the townships of Forward, South Park and part of Elizabeth and the boroughs of Elizabeth, Jefferson Hills and West Elizabeth; and part of Washington County consisting of the townships of Nottingham, Union and part of Carroll and the boroughs of Finleyville and New Eagle.
David Levdansky (I), 52, Forward
No candidate
Part of Allegheny County consisting of Upper St. Clair and part of Bethel Park and part of Washington County consisting of Peters.
No candidate
John A. Maher (I), 47, Upper St. Clair
412-831-2065
Part of Allegheny County consisting of the township of Mt. Lebanon and part of Scott and the boroughs of Green Tree, Rosslyn Farms, Thornburg and part of Bethel Park.
Matthew Smith, 34, Mt. Lebanon
412-561-3490
Mark Harris, 21, Mt. Lebanon
412-253-7312
Mr. Harris and Mr. Smith are in favor of term limits, lobbyist disclosure, more transparency in finance reporting and better communication with the public. Both say they will break with their respective parties or individuals in the name of doing what's right.
Mr. Harris has accused Mr. Smith of being a politician. Mr Smith has accused Mr. Harris of being too lenient on gun laws.
Among Mr. Harris' priorities: Changing the leadership in Harrisburg, changing the way schools are funded and improving the business environment. He wants to scrap property taxes for schools in favor of sales taxes or other ideas to fund education. He wants referendums on school budgets to help control spending.
He wants to lower corporate income tax and decrease regulatory burdens so small companies can create wealth and jobs.
Mr. Smith describes himself as a fiscal conservative and a moderate Democrat who wants to cut the fat out of state government to fund his programs. He would cut expensive legislative auto leases and defined benefit pensions for legislators. He also said lawmakers should contribute to their health insurance premiums.
Cutting the Legislature in half is a priority. He pledges to put all of his votes on his Web site, with summaries of each bill.
He wants to create community health care consortiums, where small businesses and individuals would be able to purchase health insurance in groups to save costs.
-- Laura Pace
One candidate podcasts, the other wears out shoes, Oct. 26.
Part of ALLEGHENY County consisting of the townships of Aleppo, Findlay, Kilbuck, Moon, North Fayette, Ohio and part of Collier and Robinson and the boroughs of Ben Avon Heights, Edgeworth, Haysville, Osborne, Sewickley, Sewickley Heights and Sewickley Hills.
Ray J. Uhric, 62, Moon
412-424-0281
Mark Mustio (I), 49, Moon
412-298-6756
Mr. Mustio may be a clear favorite to retain his state seat, but his opponent, Mr. Uhric, believes that Mr. Mustio's record should work against his re-election.
Mr. Uhric said constituents still bristle at the pay raise Mr. Mustio and fellow House members voted themselves last year. It would be rescinded in the face of voter outrage, but Mr. Uhric says the cast was set. Voters should not believe Mr. Mustio's claims that he will continue to fight for efficient government, he said.
Mr. Mustio, meanwhile, points out that he wanted to use the money to hire a health care benefits specialist to advise senior citizens in his district.
Both candidates believe economic growth and jobs are essential in the 44th, particularly in the Pittsburgh International Airport corridor.
Another key issue is property tax reform. Mr. Mustio favors replacing it with a broader-based sales tax that eliminates the food and clothing exemption. Mr. Uhric sees that as a possibility but wants to put the whole matter before the state's voters in a referendum.
-- David Guo
"Uhric won't let pay raise go unchallenged," Oct. 26.
Part of Allegheny County consisting of the townships of Kennedy and parts of Collier, Robinson , Scott , South Fayette and Stowe and the boroughs of Bridgeville, Carnegie, Coraopolis, Heidelberg, and Pennsbury Village and part of McKees Rocks.
Nick Kotik (I), 55, Robinson
No candidate
Part of Allegheny County consisting of part of South Fayette and the boroughs of Oakdale and the Allegheny County portion of McDonald; part of Beaver County consisting of Hanover and Frankfort Springs; and part of Washington County consisting of the townships of Buffalo, Canton, Cecil, Chartiers, Cross Creek, Hanover, Hopewell, Independence, Jefferson, Mount Pleasant, Robinson, Smith and South Franklin and the boroughs of Burgettstown, Green Hills, McDonald, Midway and West Middletown.
Jesse White, 28, Cecil
724-743-4444
Paul Snatchko, 30, McDonald
412-608-8842
For the first time in a generation, voters in the 46th District will have a new state representative. The fight for the open seat, soon to be vacated by retiring 26-year incumbent Victor Lescovitz, D-Midway, is between Mr. White, a lawyer and small business owner, and Mr. Snatchko, a political consultant and McDonald councilman.
Mr. Snatchko favors increasing the income tax to eliminate property taxes, but said he would not support an expansion or increase in sales tax, saying it could negatively impact merchants in the area.
Mr. White said the solution needs to have statewide appeal, and he supports an increase in the wage tax for incomes of more than $75,000 a year, and a 1 percent sales tax hike if necessary to do away with property taxes.
Mr. White wants to open an economic resource center for area nonprofit agencies and local governments, along with more health care and prescription drug options for small businesses and seniors.
Mr. Snatchko wants reforms of legislative perks and pension packages, a smaller Legislature, and a retooling of the state education system.
-- Janice Crompton
"Fresh faces fielded in incumbent-free race," Oct. 8.
Part of Washington County consisting of the city of Washington and the townships of North Bethlehem, North Franklin, North Strabane, Somerset and South Strabane and part of Amwell and the boroughs of Bentleyville, Canonsburg, Cokeburg, East Washington, Ellsworth and Houston.
Timothy Joseph Solobay (I), 50, Canonsburg
724-745-6974
No candidate
Demo Agoris, 65, Houston
724-745-6670
The race between Mr. Solobay and Mr. Agoris, a onetime Houston councilman, matches a seasoned politician and a perennial challenger.
Mr. Solobay, seeking his fifth term, came to office as a champion of emergency medical service employees. He said he has been instrumental in bringing $75 million in state aid to the district for emergency services and other programs. If re-elected, he said, he will focus on bringing economic opportunities and more money to the district. He also said he'd like to see the property tax burden shifted to sales or income taxes, thereby spreading the responsibility among consumers.
Mr. Agoris, seeking the office for a fourth time, supports reform. He favors a constitutional amendment holding all public officials to strict accountability, saying too often they ignore public opinion. He cited construction of Pittsburgh's ballparks and the Southern Beltway, all built despite organized public opposition.
Mr. Agoris also called for a constitutional amendment to limit terms, reduce legislative pay and eliminate pension and benefits for all past and current elected officials.
-- Lynda Guydon Taylor
"Agoris mounts 4th campaign against Solobay in House race," Oct. 15.
Part of Fayette County and Part of Washington County consisting of the city of Monongahela and the townships of Blaine, Donegal, East Finley, Fallowfield, Morris, West Bethlehem, West Finley and West Pike Run and the BOROUGHS of Allenport, Beallsville, California, Charleroi, Claysville, Coal Center, Deemston, Donora, Dunlevy, Elco, Long Branch, Marianna, North Charleroi, Roscoe, Speers, Stockdale, Twilight, West Alexander, West Brownsville and part of Amwell and Carroll.
Peter J. Daley (I), 56, California Borough
724-938-8953
Edward S. Angell, 39, Carroll
724-986-1842
Mr. Daley has faced few challengers during his 24 years in office, but this year a record five candidates entered the primary.
With a stronghold on the office for 12 terms, Mr. Daley, a lawyer, said he's been responsible for about $130 million in state funding for the district over the years.
Mr. Angell is critical of the incumbent, saying lack of infrastructure and transportation has cost the area jobs and growth.
Mr. Angell, a nurse, said he believes gaming revenue projections are inflated and favors an added consumption tax and expanded sales tax to eliminate property tax.
Mr. Daley also favors eliminating the property tax, and said he would support an increased income tax, but only limited expansion of sales tax for items such as luxury goods, not food or clothing.
-- Janice Crompton
"Passion vs. perspective, not pay raise, the issue," Oct. 29.
Part of Fayette County, all of Greene County and Part of WASHINGTON County consisting of the TOWNSHIP of East Bethlehem and the BOROUGH of Centerville.
Bill DeWeese (I), 56, Waynesburg
724-627-0968
Greg Hopkins, 34, Morris
724-852-1677
The race between Mr. DeWeese and a newcomer, Morris Township Auditor Greg Hopkins, is one of experience vs. reform.
Despite the incumbent's legislative longevity and clout, Mr. Hopkins noted Greene County, which makes up most of the district, remains the third-poorest in the state.
Mr. DeWeese boasts that he and Sen. Barry Stout, D-Bentleyville, were instrumental in funneling $8 million in state money to develop Greene County's new EverGreene Technology Park. The 248-acre park opened in Franklin Township this summer. The incumbent called it a "miniaturized Southpointe dynamic," comparing it to Washington County's commercial and residential development.
While conceding the park is good news, Mr. Hopkins said a Wal-Mart under construction nearby threatens mom-and-pop businesses .
In addition to the EverGreene opening, Mr. DeWeese looks forward to gaming and the anticipated property tax relief it will bring to constituents. Mr. Hopkins said the estimated $75 to $100 that the average Greene County resident will realize "is not meaningful in my eyes." He instead promotes a consumption or sales tax on consumer goods as the key to property tax relief.
-- Lynda Guydon Taylor
"DeWeese touts his incumbency, Hopkins says it's time for a change," Oct. 22.
Part of Fayette County including Uniontown .
Tim Mahoney, 49, South Union
timmahoneyforrepresentative@yahoo.com
724-439-2628
John Mikita, 36, Uniontown
724-984-5763
The race for the seat being vacated by longtime Rep. Larry Roberts is between Mr. Mahoney, a businessman and former jury commissioner, and Mr. Mikita, owner of an antique business and certified real estate appraiser.
Mr. Mahoney wants to eliminate property taxes and reduce the size of the Legislature, even if it means giving up his own seat. He boasts the endorsements of U.S. Rep. John Murtha, the United Mine Workers and the Pennsylvania State Education Association.
Mr. Mikita faults the Legislature for overtaxation, careless spending and lack of accountability. He particularly wants to reduce the corporate income tax, improve the state's open records laws to promote accountability and enact tougher laws against sex offenders and child predators.
-- Jon Schmitz
Part of Fayette County and part of Westmoreland County consisting of parts of the townships of East Huntingdon and Mount Pleasant and the boroughs of Mount Pleasant and Scottdale.
Deberah Kula, North Union
William R. Earnesty, 34, Dunbar Township
electearnesty@zoominternet.net
724-880-2904
Mr. Earnesty heralds the fact that he has "20 years experience working in the real world," while calling his opponent a career politician.
Ms. Kula served as a district judge for 14 years. Before that, she was court administrator and deputy court administrator for Fayette County Common Pleas Court. She did not reply to a Post-Gazette questionnaire seeking information about her candidacy.
The current officeholder, Rep. James Shaner, is retiring.
-- Jon Schmitz
Part of Armstrong County and part of Westmoreland County .
John E. Pallone (I), 46, New Kensington
724-335-3873
Scott Witon, 54, Murrysville
724-327-0567
Voters in the 54th District already made this decision once. Mr. Witon is hoping this year they change their minds.
The incumbent, Mr. Pallone, voted against the pay raise, opposed the increase in legislative pensions in 2001 and did not take that increase.
This repeat of the 2004 race creates a highly educated ballot: Mr. Pallone is an attorney who earned his juris doctorate in 1988 from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law at Cleveland State University and his bachelor's degree from Grove City College; Mr. Witon earned a bachelor's degree from Youngstown State University and went to the University of Pittsburgh for graduate school, ultimately earning a doctorate of philosophy in 1985. He has been working as an adjunct professor of philosophy at the community colleges of Allegheny, Butler and Westmoreland counties and at University of Pittsburgh's Greensburg campus.
Mr. Pallone is a conservative Democrat. He's opposed to gun control and abortion, though he would make exceptions in abortion legislation for rape, incest and to save the life of the mother.
Mr. Witon also is conservative, saying he opposes gun control, but he said that while he is opposed to abortion, it should not be up to the Legislature to make the decisions. Instead, women should be persuaded that abortion is the wrong choice.
-- Ann Belser
"54th District race pits same two who ran last time," Oct. 5.
Part of Armstrong County and Westmoreland County .
Joseph A. Petrarca (I), 45, Oklahoma Borough
No candidate
Part of Westmoreland County consisting of the city of Jeannette and the part of the townships of North Huntingdon and Penn and the boroughs of Irwin, North Irwin and Penn.
James E. Casorio Jr. (I), 42, North Huntingdon
Joel Reiter, 37, North Huntingdon
Brian S. Blasko, 21, North Huntingdon
724-861-9272
Mr. Casorio is seeking his sixth term. He boasts his track record in returning millions of dollars in state funding to the district, and what he calls "one of the busiest and most productive constituent service offices" in the Legislature.
He voted against the legislative pay raise and did not accept the money.
Mr. Reiter, a contractor who says he entered the race after finding Mr. Casorio unresponsive to constituent requests, favors curbs on punitive damages in lawsuits and on workers' compensation; term limits; and a complete overhaul of the property tax system. He is opposed to abortion.
Mr. Blasko, who majors in history, political science and secondary education at Seton Hill University, supports allowing gay couples to marry; a mandatory motorcycle helmet law; a ban on public smoking; term limits; repealing the slots gambling bill and reducing the size of the Legislature.
-- Jon Schmitz
"2 challenge incumbent in 56th House race," Oct. 12.
Part of Westmoreland County consisting of Greensburg and the townships of Salem and parts of Hempfield and Unity and the boroughs of Delmont, Hunker, New Stanton, South Greensburg, Southwest Greensburg and Youngwood.
Thomas A. Tangretti (I), 60, Hempfield
Steve Schaefer, 43, Greensburg
724-331-3640
Voters will choose between a Democratic incumbent who has represented the district for 18 years and a Republican challenger who promises not to serve more than four years.
Mr. Schaefer is trying to ride the wave of anti-incumbent furor over the pay raise, even though Mr. Tangretti voted against the raise.
In fact, Mr. Tangretti also worked to repeal it and then joined a bipartisan reform caucus that is trying to allow for more public oversight of spending by legislative offices and changes in lobbying rules for more open government.
Mr. Schaefer served in the Navy for 10 years and worked at the Sony Corp. plant in East Huntingdon for 14 years. He has a bachelor's degree from Duquesne University in professional communication and leadership but has never held public office.
Before being elected to the House, Mr. Tangretti was Westmoreland County controller for five years. He has a bachelor's degree, with a political science major, from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a master's degree in public administration from the University of Pittsburgh. He was a member of the Army Reserve from 1968 until 1974 and was an aide to U.S. Rep. John H. Dent from 1968 until 1977. Before being elected controller, he worked for a bus company for five years.
Both men are conservative, opposed to abortion, gun control and gay marriage.
-- Ann Belser
Part of Fayette County and part of Westmoreland County consisting of the city of Monessen and the townships of Rostraver, Sewickley, and South Huntingdon and parts of East Huntingdon, Hempfield and North Huntingdon and the boroughs of Adamsburg, Arona, Madison, Manor, North Belle Vernon, Smithton, Sutersville and West Newton.
Ted R. Harhai (I), 51, Monessen
Pete McConnell, 48, Rostraver
724-600-5548
Mr. Harhai is seeking a fifth term, challenged by Dr. McConnell, a gynecologist and political newcomer.
Mr. Harhai did not vote when the Legislature approved the controversial pay raise. He did not accept the money. He since has been at the fore of efforts to reform the way the House operates, favoring an end to late-night voting and a three-day period between the final drafting of legislation and a vote.
Both candidates describe themselves as pro-life and pro-gun.
Dr. McConnell wants to reduce taxes across the board, reform the business tax structure and eliminate inheritance taxes on property. He said health-care costs would come down if legislation were passed to limit awards in malpractice suits.
-- Jon Schmitz
"Pair share promise to lower taxes," Oct. 19.
Part of Fayette County and part of Westmoreland County consisting of the townships of Cook, Donegal, Fairfield, Ligonier, St. Clair and part of Hempfield, Mount Pleasant and Unity and the boroughs of Bolivar, Donegal, Laurel Mountain, Ligonier, New Florence and Seward.
No candidate
Jess Stairs (I), 64, Mount Pleasant
Part of Armstrong County and part of Indiana County .
Ron Covone, 60, South Buffalo
724-295-9760
Jeff Pyle (I), 42, Ford City
724-763-1230
Mr. Covone, who lost to Mr. Pyle in the Republican primary in 2004, secured the Democratic nomination this year by running a write-in campaign. He is a supervisor in South Buffalo.
Mr. Pyle, who won his first term in 2004, voted against the legislative pay raise and did not accept the money.
-- Jon Schmitz
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