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E2 — The Sentinel, Carlisle, Pa., Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Your guide, Rematch set for 86th district your vote 86th Legislative District
By Jason Scott
Sentinel Reporter jscott@cumberlink.com
This year’s primary election has a headliner — that’s for sure. With state Rep. Will Gabig’s announced retirement, seven Republicans lined up to replace STEPHEN him as theBLOOM 199th state Republican for House representative. State Representative PA 199th District All men, the contenders have echoed similar themes of reform during the campaign. The GOP winner is expected to face Carlisle Area School District board member Fred Baldwin in the general election. Baldwin is the lone Democratic candidate on the ballot. While the crowded 199th district race is getting all the attention, it is not the only competitive contest on the May 18 ballot. Congressman Todd Platts, R-19, has an intraparty challenger in York businessman Mike Smeltzer. So do state House members Sheryl Delozier, R-88, and Mark Keller, R-86. They are being challenged by Margie Stuski and Michael Lapp, respectively. www.cumberlink.com
The Sentinel, Carlisle, Pa., Tuesday, May 11, 2010
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INSIDE THIS VOTER’S GUIDE • Rematch set for 86th Legislative District Race — E2 • Delozier and Stuski to meet in primary race for 88th — E4 • York businessman challenges Platts in the 19th — E5
Two years ago, incumbent Rep. Mark Keller claimed nearly 80 percent of the vote in the Republican primary en route to winning his third term as state representative for the 86th Legislative District seat. His opponent in that race, Michael Lapp of Oliver Township, is hoping for a better result in 2010. A retired Army veteran, Lapp is back on the ballot for the May 18 primary. And much like 2008, no Democrats filed to run for the 86th district seat.
In Focus Incumbent Rep. Mark Keller will once again face Michael Lapp in the Republican primary for the 86th Legislative District, which includes Perry County and the Franklin County townships of Fannett, Metal and St. Thomas, as well as parts of Hamilton and Peters. Keller defeated Lapp in the 2008 primary. • Term: 2 years • Salary: Currently $78,314.66 for elected state House and Senate members.
Mark K. Keller My vote this Tuesday, May 18!
• Several unopposed races in 2010 state primary — E6 • 12 Republicans, 4 Democrats make bids for state committee seats — E7 • Seven compete for GOP nomination in 199th Legislative District — E8-12
Michael J. Lapp
• Cumberland County polling locations for the primary race — E13-14 Vote Tuesday, May 18
My vote this Tuesday, May 18!
Age: 56 Address: 6441 Waggoners Gap Road, Spring Township Education: Missouri Auction School; attended classes at Pennsylvania State University. Occupation: state representative; auctioneer/farmer Family: Wife, Sally Keller; son, Bryan Keller Community Organizations: Mt. Zion Lutheran Church; Adams Lodge 319, New Bloomfield; Perry County Farm Bureau; Landisburg Fire and Ambulance; NRA; Scottish Rite, Harrisburg; Zembo Shrine, Harrisburg; Boy Scout Council; sportsmen’s clubs Experience in politics: Current committee assignments: Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee; minority vice chair, Game and Fisheries Committee; minority chair of Townships and Local Government Committee; Transportation; House Republican Policy Committee’s Infrastructure Task Force; deputy whip; Perry County representative to Harrisburg Area Transit Study since 1996, chairman of Coordinating Committee since 2004; Perry County commissioner from 1996-2005; president of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania in 2004; Spring Township Board of Supervisors from 1985 to 1996; Spring Township auditor from 1979 to 1985. • What is the most pressing issue in the 86th Legislative District and what would you do to address it? Property tax relief. Throughout my tenure, I have sponsored and supported legislation that would overhaul the property tax system; it is a priority for our entire commonwealth. • Would you support a constitutional convention? Yes, as long as the issues are predetermined before the convention begins. • Should Pennsylvania have more toll roads? No. The infrastructures of our highway systems have already been paid for by tax dollars. I don’t believe in double charging citizens. We need to start looking at different alternatives for funding rather than looking only in the pockets of Pennsylvanians. • Should sales tax be broadened? No. I believe the citizens of the commonwealth are paying enough taxes already. It is time for our government and its agencies to reduce spending and clean up the widespread mismanaged spending of tax dollars.
Age: 48 Address: 573 Wolf St., Oliver Township Education: Associate’s in applied science and business administration from Columbia Southern University; bachelor’s in business administration from Central Penn College Occupation: U.S. Army (retired) Family: Wife, Trish Lapp; children, David, 21, Andrew, 20, Katie, 16 Community organizations: Perry County Day Camp director; Turkey Trot steering committee; Newport VFW chaplain; American Legion; MealsWheels; Newport Graveyard Restoration Team; elder/councilmember of the Newport First Church of God. Experience in politics: Not a politician • What is the most pressing issue in the 86th Legislative District and what would you do to address it? Eliminate real estate tax, eliminate assessments, retain farmland. • Would you support a constitutional convention? Yes. The system is simply broke. Change needs to occur before anything truly works. The people do not run this state. Who runs this state are a few “careerâ€? lawmakers who know how to take advantage of the current system. A constitutional convention would bring needed reforms. Lobbyist monies, the current marriage law, campaign finance and the out-of-control tax system are a few issues that need immediate repair. • Should Pennsylvania have more toll roads? Not if the following data is true. It will cost $60 million per booth to initiate the program on I-80. About every 30 miles there will be a booth. Does this put us ahead or behind? • Should sales tax be broadened? Sales tax should be lowered to 4 percent and include all items except home residential and business power (i.e. heating oil). For example, if you want to buy a pair of $100 jeans then pay the 4 cents on the dollar. ... I’ll stick to $15 jeans.
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Tuesday, May 11, 2010, The Sentinel, Carlisle, Pa. — E15
Pennsylvania
Dems fear losing four-decade grip on seat By GENARO C. ARMAS
Associated Press Writer
JOHNSTOWN — In what was the late U.S. Rep. John Murtha’s western Pennsylvania district — reachable through John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport or John P. Murtha Highway — Democrats watch nervously, hoping his former top aide can hold on to the House seat. Mark Critz, who worked for Murtha for more than a decade in Pennsylvania, including the past three as district director, is in a fierce fight with Republican businessman Tim Burns in the May 18 special election. The national GOP has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to push Burns’ candidacy, sensing a legitimate shot of capturing the seat held for 36 years by Murtha, an ally of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. A loss would unnerve Democrats, who face the backlash against the party in power typical for a midterm election year, and depress the outlook for the party’s other candidates in Pennsylvania, which Barack Obama won easily in 2008. Democrats hold a roughly 2-to-1 registration edge in the socially conservative, blue-collar district marked by old steel mills, coal mines — and projects named for Murtha, who was the powerful chairman of the House Appropriations defense subcommittee. He died in February at age 77 from complications of gallbladder surgery.
Opposition Growing opposition to Obama and the Democrats, tea partydriven discontent and unhappiness with the president’s health care law give Republicans hope that the 42-year-old Burns, who lives in Eighty Four, can win. “This year, we have mobilized millions of people from all over the country, and they are ready to take back this country. It’s going to start right here, right now in this district on May 18,� Burns said
“This year, we have mobilized millions of people from all over the country, and they are ready to take back this country. It’s going to start right here, right now in this district on May 18.� tim burns republican, 12th district
at a recent fundraiser in Latrobe featuring former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga. At a recent Pittsburgh fundraiser for Critz, Vice President Joe Biden said: “This guy’s the real deal.� Critz, 48, of Johnstown, says he’s “pro-life, pro-gun� and determined to help a district hardhit by job losses — policy positions that mirror Murtha’s. Burns calls for lower taxes and repeal of the health care law. Critz highlights his experience helping his former boss bring more economic development to the region as his own strength. The two candidates sparred over taxes and who would be less beholden to Washington at Wednesday night’s debate. “You keep talking about Washington, D.C. I’m worried about Washington, Pa.,� Critz said. “Do you want someone who has grown up in government or someone who has grown up in the real world?� asked Burns. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has spent more than $641,000, according to Federal Election Commission records. Along with pro-Critz ads, the committee has run ads accus-
Associated Press
Mark Critz, a candidate for the Democratic Party nomination for Pennsylvania’s 12th congressional district, talks with campaign worker at his campaign headquarters in Johnstown. Critz is running for the congressional seat vacated by the death of Congressman John Murtha. ing Burns of selling a company to a corporation that “used a tax loophole which encourages sending American jobs overseas� and supporting a 23 percent “national sales tax.�
Big spending The National Republican Campaign Committee has spent roughly $728,000 — all opposing Critz, FEC records show. Their ads link Critz to Pelosi and what is said to be a liberal agenda in Washington. One Republican ad, without mentioning Murtha’s name, questioned Critz’s ethics, saying he was investigated as a staffer in a House probe. Critz called the spot misleading and he defended Murtha. Critz responded in an ad that said the Republican commercial has “gone way too far when you attack someone who is no longer here to defend himself.�
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has also spent $100,000 on behalf of Burns. “This has grown much more than (just) local politics,� Critz said recently at an appearance before a Democratic women’s group in Johnstown. “But really, it’s about local politics, it’s about the economy, it’s about jobs.� Recent federal campaign finance reports showed Burns with $387,000 on hand at the end of March; he had lent himself $225,000. Critz had $330,000 on hand and no loans. Anchored in Pennsylvania’s southwestern corner, the district snakes out haphazardly to the east and north, reaching out to Washington and Latrobe. The district’s eastern hub is the Murtha stronghold of Johnstown. It has a significant number of older voters and remnants of a labor constituency. Evelyn Mrsnik, 65, of Johnstown, said her concern is job
growth. Critz “gave me a lot of peace of mind that these companies are going to be able to stay here, and they are going to be self-sufficient, and I’m sure he’s going to bring in more jobs, too,� Mrsnik said after Critz spoke to the dozen or so members of the East Hills Federated Democratic Women’s Club. The district can be difficult to predict. Democrat John Kerry won it in the 2004 presidential election and Republican John McCain claimed it in 2008. Critz and Burns likely will get to do it again in November as they are seeking party nominations on May 18. “I think this will be one of the races where the people of western Pennsylvania show the folks what they really think of what’s going on in Washington,� Brian O’Connor, 44, an insurance executive from Latrobe, said at a Burns fundraiser.