As much as experience has been an issue on the presidential campaign trail, it has played just as prominent a role in the far-ranging state 16th House District.

In the one corner stands Rob Matzie, 39, of Baden, the former Ambridge mayor and current staffer for state Sen. Gerald LaValle, D-Rochester.

In the other stands Donald Despines, 30, of Economy, the former mortgage loan specialist who's a locomotive engineer for Norfolk Southern railroad in Conway.

The candidates are vying for the seat vacated by Sean Ramaley, D-Conway, who is running for the 47^th District Senate seat being vacated by Mr. Matzie's boss, who is retiring. There is no GOP candidate in Tuesday's primary.

Mr. Matzie points to his work as mayor for two years plus his district constituent efforts on behalf of Mr. LaValle the past 13 years.

Mr. Despines, meanwhile, has pine-green lawn signs that urge voters to pull the lever for a fresh voice in Harrisburg.

"I thought about [politics] in college," he said, "sort of watching it from a distance. After college I thought of taking a stab at it. I saw an opportunity with my background that I could make a difference, bring in a fresh face."

He has no political experience and is proud of it. But no more so than Mr. Matzie is proud of having amassed some 15 years' worth.

Asked if experience is a key differential in this year's Democratic primary, Mr. Matzie said, "I really do. I'm proud of my experience and tout it. That's why I'm running, it's a natural progression for me."

"One of the things is just the dealing with all walks of life," he said, something he also did in his prior job as a radio talk show host. "When you're a staffer for a state senator, you have to learn everything."

One minute, he said, "you're working on a $40 million project, then you hang up the phone and sit down with the elderly working on a tax rebate."

The district includes Crescent, Leet, parts of Franklin Park and Ross, Bell Acres, Bellevue and Leetsdale in Allegheny County and Aliquippa, Harmony, Ambridge, Baden, Conway and parts of Economy in Beaver County.

The candidates call attracting economic development a top issue, though they arrived at the conclusion in different ways.

While Mr. Matzie cited his work as Ambridge mayor in 2003 and 2004, Mr. Despines called his frontline perspective at the rail yards invaluable.

He's reminded of what the stalled Crow's Run highway project could bring to the area every day that he goes to work. The fast track to Cranberry would start right in front of the underutilized Conway Yard.

"Maybe if we get that running, the railroad could see some intermodal freight," he said, envisioning the boom that would come from the railroad handling UPS canisters, for instance.

"That's the idea to maybe re-create more jobs for the Conway yards and the region," he said.

Both candidates also support mill town revival and efforts such as the Northern Ambridge Project. First proposed in 2003, it covers 60 acres bounded by 11th, 19th and Merchant streets and Duss Avenue.

Mr. Matzie remembers being mayor when the early feelers were being fielded from then-unknown Australian builder Rob Moltoni.

Mr. Matzie is a lifelong resident of the area and now lives in Baden. A Point Park University journalism graduate, Mr. Matzie began his radio career when he was 18 and worked at radio station WMBA in Ambridge, which helped finance his college education.

He and his wife, Patricia, have one daughter, Claire, 6.

Mr. Despines is also a lifetime resident of the Ambridge area and an accounting graduate of Washington & Jefferson College, where he competed in varsity football and track and field.

Mr. Despines worked in the financial services industry, gaining experience in sales, accounting, mortgage financing and insurance.

He and his wife, Tanya, reside in Economy with their 5-year-old son, Jordan.