Greene County Commissioners Chairwoman Pam Snyder this morning announced she will challenge embattled state Rep. Bill DeWeese, D-Waynesburg, in the Democratic primary for the seat that he's held since 1976.

"I am running because now is the time to bring reform to Harrisburg by putting the interests of families in Southwest Pennsylvania first and to change the way our state Legislature does business," said Ms. Snyder, 54, of Jefferson, who is halfway through her second four-year term as a commissioner.

Ms. Snyder, who previously served as a senior aide for former U.S. Rep. Frank Mascara, said she began seriously considering a run against Mr. DeWeese for his 50th Legislative District seat after she saw local county agencies and others suffering when lawmakers couldn't agree on a budget last summer.

"Watching the events in Harrisburg unfold this year, specifically the lack of a state budget for 101 days and subsequent cuts to county budgets inspired me to step into this election," she said in a press statement released this morning. "These cuts forced many boards of commissioners across the state to raise property taxes in order to fund programs that, ironically, are mandated by the state.

"Until there is true property tax reform in Harrisburg, these challenges will continue. Now is the time to reform Harrisburg and I want to help bring about that much needed reform."

The district includes all of Greene County, along with slivers of Washington and Fayette counties.

Mr. DeWeese, 59, was wounded politically in his role as chief engineer the controversial 2005 pay raise and by the so-called Bonusgate scandal over taxpayer-funded bonuses that were allegedly paid to Democratic staff members for political work. Although Mr. DeWeese hasn't been charged in that case, he is facing charges for allegedly having his staffers do political work on state time.

In 2006 and again in 2008, Mr. DeWeese, former speaker of the House, lost his native Greene County to Republican challenger Greg Hopkins, though he secured re-election by winning Washington and Fayette counties.

Mr. Hopkins said he has not yet decided if he will again run for the seat.

Ms. Snyder gained popularity for her vocal opposition to a plan for massive new high-voltage power lines that would have crossed Greene County. The commissioners later came to an agreement with Allegheny Energy that would allow the power company to build a substation and 2 miles of power lines in southern Greene County.

Ms. Snyder, who is planning a campaign rally tonight with supporters, said Harrisburg needs her hands-on, bipartisian approach.

"I am proud of the fact that throughout both of my terms, the board of commissioners have been able to come together to make great things happen for Greene County. We have not let partisan politics or power deter us from representing the best interest of all Greene County residents," said Ms. Snyder.

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