The race for the Democratic nomination for state representative in the 38th District pits freshman incumbent William Kortz, of Dravosburg, against Caleem L. "Jay" Jabbour, a former County Council and West Mifflin borough council member.

But until a Commonwealth Court ruling late Thursday on an appeal filed over Mr. Jabbour's nominating petitions, it was uncertain if the race would occur. Supporters of Mr. Kortz lost their bid to have Mr. Jabbour removed from the ballot as a result of problems with his nominating petitions.

Mr. Kortz, 53, was a manager at the U.S. Steel Irvin plant before becoming a state legislator two years ago, unseating incumbent Kenneth Ruffing, a Democrat from West Mifflin. Mr. Jabbour was the third Democratic candidate in that primary race.

Mr. Jabbour, 75, is a self-employed accountant who also serves as manager of the Riverview Homes Association, a 450-unit cooperative housing complex in West Mifflin. He is making his eighth bid for state office.

Mr. Kortz holds a bachelor's degree in criminology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He is the secretary of the House Finance Committee and a member of the Consumer Affairs, State Government and Intergovernmental Affairs committees and he has the endorsement of the Allegheny County Democratic Committee.

Mr. Jabbour holds an associate degree in accounting from the former Robert Morris College and served 16 years on West Mifflin borough council, with terms as president and vice president. He was a member of Allegheny County Council from October 2001 until March 2006, when he resigned to run for legislator.

Both candidates have similar backgrounds. Both would like to provide health care to Pennsylvanians who can't afford it, set term limits and reduce the size of the Legislature and come up with some type of property tax relief.

Mr. Jabbour said he would like to see the state come up with a universal health care plan since the federal government has "been working on it since the Clinton administration" and has not been able to produce a plan.

Mr. Kortz said the state House has passed a senior care bill and the Adult Basic Care bill to expand state health coverage to an additional 270,000 adults in the commonwealth. Both bills are awaiting action in the state Senate.

He also co-sponsored legislation to hold a state constitutional convention, which would be required to reduce the size of the Legislature and to impose term limits on its members. But the legislation failed.

He also co-sponsored a bill on campaign finance reform that is sitting in committee.

Mr. Jabbour said he would like to see property taxes abolished and as a substitute, a progressive income tax instituted, where those who make more, pay more.

He also cited the $75 million in pre-kindergarten funding the state provided this year, allowing the West Mifflin, South Allegheny and McKeesport school districts, within the 38th District to open preschools.

Mr. Kortz has accused Mr. Jabbour of sending out misleading post cards that stated Mr. Kortz "is on the side of Kennywood" in the dispute over whether the park should have to pay an entertainment tax to West Mifflin.

"I have been 100 percent on the side of the West Mifflin people and think Kennywood should be paying it," Mr. Kortz said.

Mr. Kortz also said that Mr. Jabbour has sponsored ads that say he missed 59 percent of votes, when in fact "I have a 100 percent attendance and voting record on the floor."

Mr. Jabbour said the attendance issue refers to public hearings held by the committees on which he serves. Mr. Kortz said it is impossible for him to attend hearings held on opposite sides of the state at the same time, which is often the case.

In an interview, Mr. Jabbour criticized Mr. Kortz for taking a state car when he campaigned on a promise not to do so and for taking a $2,600 cost-of-living raise when he vowed to take no pay hikes.

Mr. Kortz said he is driving his own 2000 Ford Windstar van with 225,000 miles on it and that he is donating the proceeds of his cost-of-living raise to two Catholic churches in West Mifflin.

The district includes Dravosburg, Glassport, Liberty, Pleasant Hills, Port Vue and parts of West Mifflin, Baldwin Borough and McKeesport.