Four Democrats will square off in the April 22 primary for the right to challenge incumbent U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair, in the fall.

Yesterday was the deadline for Democrats and Republicans to file for a host of offices up for election this year, including president of the United States; three statewide row offices; U.S. Congress; and the state's General Assembly.

Vying to face Mr. Murphy in the 18th Congressional District are Brien Wall of Upper St. Clair, Steve O'Donnell of Monroeville, Wayne Dudding of Robinson and Beth Hafer of Mt. Lebanon.

U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire, a freshman Democrat, will be challenged in November by the woman he defeated two years ago, former U.S. Rep. Melissa Hart of Bradford Woods. No others filed in the 4th District.

Veteran U.S. Rep. John Murtha, a Democrat, will face Republican William Russell of Johnstown in the 12th District.

No Democrat or Republican filed to run against incumbent U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle, D-Forest Hills, in the 14th District.

Democrats on the primary ballot for president are U.S. Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois; the GOP ballot will have U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and U.S. Rep. Ron Paul of Texas.

In statewide races, four Democrats are running for state treasurer: state Rep. Jennifer Mann of Allentown; Montgomery County businessman Rob McCord; Bucks County Democratic Chairman John Cordisco; and Dennis Morrison-Wesley, a Harrisburg financial adviser. Tom Ellis of Montgomery County is unopposed for the GOP nomination.

Auditor General Jack Wagner is alone on the Democratic ticket seeking re-election; vying to oppose him in November are Chet Beiler of Lancaster County and Chris Walsh of York County.

For attorney general, incumbent Republican Tom Corbett of Shaler and Democratic challenger John Morganelli, the district attorney in Northampton County, are the only candidates.

At least 21 members of the Legislature from Western Pennsylvania will have no primary or general election opponents.

No one filed to challenge incumbent Sens. Mary Jo White, R-Venango, Don White, R-Indiana, Jay Costa Jr., D-Forest Hills, and Sean Logan, D-Monroeville.

First-term Sen. Bob Regola, R-Hempfield, has no primary foe but will face one of two Democrats in November, Chris Huffman of Rostraver or Tony Bompiani of Hempfield, in the 39th District.

Sen. John Pippy, R-Moon, has no primary opponent but would face Democrat Amy Jude Schmotzer of Whitehall in November in the 37th District.

Three Democrats and two Republicans filed for the 47th District seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Gerald LaValle, D-Rochester. State Rep. Sean Ramaley, D-Conway, is giving up his House seat to run for the Senate and is opposed in the primary by Joseph Spanik of Center and Jason Petrella of Monaca. Republicans who filed were Jeff Harris and Elder Vogel Jr., both of New Sewickley.

For state House, four Democrats filed for the seat being vacated by freshman Rep. Lisa Bennington, D-Morningside.

Former Rep. Frank Pistella of Bloomfield will try to regain the 22nd District seat he had held since 1979 until losing to Ms. Bennington in 2006. That loss came at least in part because of his vote for the controversial legislative pay raise of July 2005. He'll face former Pittsburgh police chief Dom Costa, just-resigned Allegheny County Councilwoman Brenda Frazier and former Pittsburgh Councilman Len Bodack Jr.

Three Democrats are competing for the right to succeed retiring Rep. Tom Petrone, D-Crafton Heights, in the 27th District: Pittsburgh Councilman Dan Deasy; Ryan Douglass, a Petrone aide; and John Paul Jones.

Three Democrats and one Republican filed for the 16th House District seat being vacated by Mr. Ramaley. Bob Wadding of Aliquippa, Donald Despines Jr. of Economy and Robert Matzie, former mayor of Ambridge and a LaValle aide, are vying to face the GOP's Thomas J. Kawczynski.

Other contested primary races for House:

12th District: Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-Cranberry, will face primary opposition from Robin Redding of Cranberry, a former chemist who is mother of three. John Olesnevich of Middlesex is alone on the Democratic ballot.

15th: Incumbent Vincent Biancucci, D-Aliquippa, will face Democrat Domenic Leone of Hopewell. Jim Christiana of Beaver filed as a Republican.

24th: Longtime incumbent Rep. Joseph Preston of East Liberty is being challenged by William Anderson of East Liberty, Lucille Prater-Holliday of Wilkinsburg and Todd Koger of Wilkinsburg. No Republicans filed.

38th: Freshman Rep. Bill Kortz, D-Dravosburg, will face Democratic challenger C.L. Jabbour of West Mifflin. Daniel Davis of West Mifflin is the lone Republican.

49th: Veteran Rep. Peter Daley, D-California, will face Barbara Reis of North Charleroi and Randy J. Barli of Coal Center in the Democratic primary.

51st: Freshman Rep. Tim Mahoney, D-South Union, will square off in the primary against the man he replaced two years ago, Larry Roberts. No Republicans filed.

54th: Rep. John Pallone, D-New Kensington, will face Anthony G. Shea Jr. of Gilpin in the primary. No Republican filed.

56th: Incumbent James Casorio, D-North Huntingdon, will face Brian S. Blasko in the primary. Susanna Lisotto of Penn filed as a Republican.

57th: Four Democrats and two Republicans filed for the seat being vacated by Rep. Thomas Tangretti, D-Greensburg. Democrats are Scott Sistek of New Stanton; and Roland Bud Mertz, John W. Boyle and Ron Gazze of Greensburg. Republicans are Tim Krieger of Delmont and Jeffrey Schimizzi of Hempfield.

Incumbent Western Pennsylvania House members without major-party opponents in the primary or general election were Reps. Dick Stevenson, R-Grove City; Jake Wheatley, D-Hill District; Don Walko, D-North Side; Chelsa Wagner, D-Beechview; Dan Frankel, D-Squirrel Hill; Joseph Markosek, D-Monroeville; Mike Turzai, R-Bradford Woods; Randy Vulakovich, R-Shaler; Paul Costa, D-Wilkins; Marc Gergely, D-White Oak; Harry Readshaw, D-Carrick; John Maher, R-Upper St. Clair; Nick Kotik, D-Robinson; Tim Solobay, D-Canonsburg; Deberah Kula, D-North Union; Ted Harhai, D-Monessen; and Jeff Pyle, R-Ford City.

Incumbents who don't have a primary opponent on April 22 but do have a potential foe in November:

Jaret Gibbons, D-Ellwood City, will face Republican Bob Morabito of Ellwood City; Brian Ellis, R-Butler, will face Democrat Dave Wilson of Buffalo Township; Jim Marshall, R-Big Beaver, will face Democrat Dennis Rousseau of Chippewa; Anthony DeLuca, D-Penn Hills, will face Republican Joseph O'Connor of Penn Hills; Frank Dermody, D-Oakmont, will face Republican Jason Davidek of Fawn; David Levdansky, D-Forward, will face Republican Vinnie Wright of Jefferson Hills; Matt Smith, D-Mt. Lebanon, will face GOP candidate Jim Blazeck of Mt. Lebanon; Mark Mustio, R-Moon, will face Democrat Ayanna M. Lee of Moon; Jesse White, D-Cecil, will face Republican Frank P. Yuvan of Canton; and Joseph Petrarca, D-Vandergrift, will face Republican Tom Green of Avonmore.

The complete candidate list is available at www.dos.state.pa.us and click on the candidates' list under Look What's Hot.