Published: June 18, 2008 11:08 pm         

Political candidates pounding pavement

With three open seats for the Legislature – a rarity in Cambria and Somerset counties – the general election season is starting early and with a lot of shoe leather.

The stakes are high this year for Harrisburg, with a one-seat majority for House Democrats and eight Republicans constituting the GOP majority in the Senate.

But with or without the expected involvement of state party officials around the edges, all agree that the November contests will be won or lost the old-fashioned way: Knocking on doors.

“People aren’t going to win elections because a couple of state party people come in and campaign for them,” said Terry Madonna, political analyst at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster.

“Candidates will win because they go out into the neighborhoods and talk to people,” he said.

At stake are the seats held by these retiring lawmakers:

• Ed Wojnaroski, a Democrat from Johnstown’s 71st district, a representative since 1997.

Fighting for his seat are Republican Jim Rigby and Democrat Bryan Barbin.

• Tom Yewcic, a 16-year legislative veteran from the 72nd district, which spans parts of Cambria and Somerset counties. Frank Burns is the Democrat on the November ticket and Chris Voccio is the Republican.

• Bob Bastian of Somerset County, who has served 12 years in the House. Democrat Ken Warnick is running against Republican Carl Metzgar.

These contests are crucial to the state House because of the one-person majority now held by Democrats, Madonna said. But Cambria-Somerset victories are not likely to change the balance, he added.

“Sure, those contests are important,” he said.

“But candidates have to understand that, even if a Republican or two wins there, Democrats are likely to pick up a few seats around Philadelphia.”

“This year is about as horrific an environment as you could find for Republicans. And I wouldn’t exactly think that those House races are a fertile environment.”

Madonna predicts a large turnout in November and expects some conservative Democrats to vote Republican in the presidential race.

“Do Republicans have a chance to pick up seats where Democrats are conservative? Yes. But is it a certainty? No,” he said.

Voccio, publisher of a monthly publication, acknowledges that as a Republican in Cambria County, where Democrats outnumber Republicans almost 2-to-1, he faces a struggle.

“When you look at the party registration, you know it’s an uphill battle,” he said.

While pleased that House Republican Whip Dave Argall plans to attend a function in August, Voccio said he doesn’t place win-or-lose significance on such visits.

An official coming to a function is just an official coming to a function, Voccio said.

“This race will be won or lost in the 72nd district, so it’s up to us to get out there and talk to as many voters as we can. I’ve already started doing that,” he said.

His Democratic opponent agrees.

Frank Burns, an East Taylor Township supervisor who conducts seminars for a cosmetic dentistry firm, said it’s up to him to work hard.

“I’ve been in contact with state party officials, but I can’t say I’m expecting that they’ll pour a lot of money into this race. It’s up to me to win,” he said.

“I’m not gong to be outdone, though. It’s going to be a good race, and we’ve already started.”

In the Johnstown area, attorney Bryan Barbin bested five other candidates to earn the nomination. He plans to attend many community events this summer, talking with potential voters face to face.

“I think that people need to see you,” he said, adding that he does not plan to start his formal campaign until next month.

“Right now, you make a plan for the fall,” Barbin said.

But his GOP opponent, Jim Rigby, already is pounding the pavement.

Rigby said he has been campaigning door-to-door and is trying to visit hundreds of homes per week – in addition to his duties as a Ferndale Borough councilman and full-time Red Cross employee.

“I don’t have the finances to go out and try to buy a campaign,” Rigby said. “And I wouldn’t do that anyway.”

He said he has received support from party officials and lawmakers. But for his first meet-and-greet fundraising session this week, Rigby wanted to go it alone.

“I am committed to this,” Rigby said.

In Somerset County, where the GOP holds a slim registration edge, Republican Metzgar attributed much of his primary win over four others to his door-to-door handshakes and chats.

“It’s the only way to get a firm grasp on what voters want,” he said. “If you are not sitting on the front porch with someone, you don’t know the issues.”

Democratic candidate Warnick will focus more effort on door-knocking in the coming months, a change from his springtime strategy.

“The more people you are able to express your ideas to, the better,” he said, adding that he also is planning to attend township and borough meetings and local functions and already has started stopping at businesses to talk to owners.

“You can put a face on a candidate and sit down and talk to somebody at home,” he said. “You can write anything on a brochure, but this makes it real. And, it gives candidates a good idea of people’s needs.”

Warnick said his message of reform should resonate with voters.

“I have been here long enough. I think I know what the citizens’ needs are. My message is the same to Republicans or Democrats,” he said.

Metzgar said his campaign won’t rest on Republicans outnumbering Democrats.

“We are not banking on anything there,” he said.

“We are going to campaign like it’s our last. People are tired of the same old Rendell politics. As a Republican, I won’t be saddled with the influence of the governor.”

Warnick said voters are dissatisfied with government, mentioning ballooning gas prices’ effect on family budgets.

“There has got to be some control,” he said.

“I think people are more interested in the candidate than the party. They want a person who won’t change when he goes to Harrisburg.”



By the numbers

Party control is split in the state Legislature, with a Republican majority in the Senate and a Democratic majority in the House.

The numbers

Total legislators: 253; 50 senators, 203 representatives

Senate: 29 Republicans, 21 Democrats

House: 102 Democrats, 101 Republicans

County comparison

Votership in Cambria County leans Democratic, while Somerset County leans Republican:

Cambria County

Total registered voters: 90,477*

Democrats: 56,077

Republicans: 27,779

Somerset County

Total registered voters: 52,974*

Democrats: 23,030

Republicans: 25,996

* Including those with no party affiliation and those pledged to third parties.

     

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