Before a packed room of more than 100 supporters, Greene County Commissioners Chairwoman Pam Snyder announced Monday night she will challenge embattled 17-term incumbent state Rep. Bill DeWeese, D-Waynesburg, in the Democratic primary.

"I'm running because I share your frustrations over how things are going in Harrisburg," said Ms. Snyder, 54, a Democrat from Jefferson, who is halfway through her second four-year term as a commissioner.

Ms. Snyder said she decided to run for the 50th Legislative District seat after the state budget stalemate last summer.

If elected, Ms. Snyder said she would introduce legislation to freeze lawmakers' salaries until a budget is passed. She also hopes to further reform property taxes.

"The funding of public education has got to come off the backs of property owners, someway, somehow," she said.

Among Ms. Snyder's supporters were Westmoreland County Commissioner Tom Ceraso and Fayette County Commissioner Vince Zapotosky, who said "a different direction for this district is desperately needed." The district includes all of Greene County and portions of Washington and Fayette counties.

No other Democrat has challenged Mr. DeWeese, 59, who was indicted in December, charged with having state employees do political work on state time.

"Pam is a dear friend that I have helped politically, with innumerable state government grants during her tenure in public life," Mr. DeWeese said Monday in a phone interview.

"Obviously she perceives me to have been politically wounded by people at highest levels of the other party," he said. "She certainly will not be running against my record. In spite of my obvious challenges, I have had the most successful four years of my career."

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