Tony Bompiani is a chiropractor. Chris Huffman is not.

Yet they share an ambition that is characteristic of Mr. Bompiani's profession: they would like to realign Pennsylvania politics.

Mr. Huffman, a Greensburg attorney, and Mr. Bompiani are vying for the Democratic nomination for the state Senate in District 39.

The survivor in Tuesday's primary will take on the incumbent, Bob Regola, in the November general election. Mr. Regola, 46, of Hempfield, is unopposed on the Republican side.

This is the first foray into state politics for the Democratic candidates. Mr. Huffman, 40, of Rostraver, had not run for office before.

"I thought we needed a change, some new ideas," he said.

Mr. Huffman already has won something: the surprising endorsement -- by a slight margin -- of the Westmoreland County Democratic committee.

By contrast, Mr. Bompiani, 54, is a grizzled political veteran. He was on the Hempfield Area School Board for 12 years (1996-2007), including five as president.

"I decided not to run for the school board again because I wanted to run for this," said Mr. Bompiani, who lives in Hempfield, works in Youngwood and is a father of three and grandfather of five.

He made that determination about three years ago because "I was concerned about rising taxes. I decided to quit complaining and get involved."

The economy and the formidable costs of higher education and health care are concerns of both Democratic hopefuls.

"I have a 7-year-old son," Mr. Huffman said, "who will have some financial concerns when he goes to college, then looks for work. I also have a 73-year-old mother who is facing issues many people of her generation are facing.

"It's time to step up to help the generation before me and after me."

Mr. Bompiani, a Hempfield Area graduate, said: "I feel we are doing a bad job of preparing our kids. We have to prepare them for life, not just [kindergarten] through [grade] 12. And many are moving out of state because there is a lack of work. Something must be done about that.

"I'm also concerned about health care. I've lived it for 32 years as a chiropractor. We need to make some easy, fundamental changes to make health care more affordable."

Mr. Huffman, who grew up in South Greensburg and is a Greensburg Central Catholic alumnus, also said that if elected, he would propose legislation he calls the Volunteer Firefighter Appreciation Act. It would grant all firefighters free vehicle registration and a tax credit based on years of service with a company.

"They're probably the most unsung volunteers we have," Mr. Huffman said. "They fund-raise four or five nights a week, then fight fires."

He and Mr. Bompiani disagree on the impact gambling revenue will have on the region's economy. The Youngwood chiropractor does not believe that money will lower school taxes enough for property owners. Mr. Huffman, however, said that "once casinos are up and running, property tax relief will be realized."

Both concede that the Democratic winner will be an "underdog" against an incumbent in November. Mr. Regola, who is in his first term, has a more immediate battle.

He is facing trial on perjury and gun charges in the death of a neighbor, Louis Farrell, 14, in July 2006.

Authorities say Louis shot himself with Mr. Regola's handgun.

The senator is accused of lying under oath in a coroner's inquest and of allowing his son, Bobby, to have access to the gun. Bobby Regola is serving a year's probation for illegally possessing the handgun.

The 39th Senatorial District is made up of three cities (Greensburg, Jeannette and Latrobe); 20 boroughs (Adamsburg, Arona, Derry, Hunker, Irwin, Madison, Manor, Mount Pleasant, New Alexandria, New Stanton, North Belle Vernon, North Irwin, Penn, Smithton, South Greensburg, Southwest Greensburg, Sutersville, West Newton, Youngstown and Youngwood); and 10 townships (Derry, East Huntingdon, Hempfield, Mt. Pleasant, North Huntingdon, Penn, Rostraver, Sewickley, South Huntingdon and Unity).