Democrats Roland "Bud" Mertz, John W. Boyle and Scott Sistek are vying to replace retiring state Rep. Tom Tangretti in the 57th District.

But they are united in their belief that the primary campaign is best run without party endorsement.

"When we had our [county] Democratic convention in February, we asked the delegation for an open primary," Mr. Sistek, 49, of New Stanton explained. "We wanted the voters to make that decision."

Mr. Mertz, 49, of Greensburg said: "We knew there were county committee people who were very committed to each candidate. The only thing that an endorsement would do is create harsh feelings between candidates. Let the voters decide and let the committee endorse that person."

Mr. Boyle, 43, of Greensburg said: "It's an open seat, we ought to have an open primary."

This populist approach toward the April 22 primary election is one of the few things these Democratic candidates wholeheartedly agree upon.

The winner will face the only Republican candidate, Tim Krieger, in November's general election.

The three Democratic hopefuls said property tax relief, the economy and legislative reform should be key issues for the next representative. Each believes he possesses qualities that would enable him to address those issues more effectively than the other two.

"There's no question in voters' minds as far as who I am and what I am, because I've been there." said Mr. Mertz, who has been a fire captain, sat on Greensburg City Council for 16 years and is the retired director of the Pennsylvania Department of Homeland Security.

"I'm doing it for my community, not for myself."

Mr. Sistek, of New Stanton, said his time as a legislative aide to Mr. Tangretti gives him an edge in experience with the district's constituents and knowledge of its chief concerns.

"I've had the great opportunity of being able to listen to all the constituents coming through our office, their needs, their concerns," he said.

"I'm the only candidate who can say I work for the Legislature and have actual working knowledge of state government. The only thing I can't do is propose state legislation and vote on it.

"I think if anyone else gets [the nomination], they will face a learning curve."

Mr. Boyle, an attorney from Greensburg, was a legislative aide to U.S. Rep. John Murtha, D-Johnstown. Mr. Boyle said his legal background gives him a perspective on legislation no other candidate has.

"My background with Mr. Murtha working the legislative side of it, and my legal career, [substantially] qualify me," Mr. Boyle said. "No other candidate has that experience."

Each candidate also said his experience would lead to quality proposals for the district and state.

Mr. Mertz said he has firsthand knowledge of the state's continued loss of volunteer firefighters and the necessity of shared information between state law enforcement agencies to fight terrorism.

Mr. Sistek said his work as a legislative aide taught him to seek pragmatic solutions to the size of the state Legislature and to state mandates that cost local governments money to implement. He mentioned term limits for House Democratic caucus leaders and increased funding for municipalities.

Mr. Boyle said his work with the Legislature showed him it will take bold ideas -- such as tax credits for individuals who train as volunteer firefighters and for state colleges and universities who work together to train firefighters -- to tackle what has been an ongoing problem in the district.

The 57th District is made up entirely of Westmoreland County communities: Greensburg; Delmont, South Greensburg, Southwest Greensburg, Youngwood, Hunker, New Stanton, Salem, and parts of Hempfield and Unity.