Published: April 18, 2008 08:43 am            

Democratic race up for grabs in 72nd district; GOP candidate unopposed

EBENSBURG — No heir apparent is waiting in the wings to represent the state House’s 72nd district.

Retiring incumbent Rep. Tom Yewcic, D-Jackson Township, has not groomed or endorsed any of the seven Democrats vying to replace him.

And there’s no solid voting bloc because – although the district covers a big chunk of Somerset County – all seven Democrats competing in the April 22 primary, and the sole Republican candidate, are from Cambria County.

Even support in neighborhoods and small towns will be carved up, with five of the Democrats living in the Ebensburg area, and only two Democrats living in the Greater Johnstown areas of East Taylor and Upper Yoder townships.

Traditional union support as well will be divided because two candidates are United Mine Workers of America officials.

As one veteran political observer put it, the race in the 72nd is “a real crap shoot.”

The one sure thing is that former Tribune-Democrat Publisher Chris Voccio, as the lone Republican, will be on the ballot in November.

And two of the seven Democrats have issues.

Steve Yesenosky, who years ago resigned as district magistrate, has been a no-show at forums and other campaign events and declines to discuss his campaign with reporters.

And Jared Lambie, the young first-time candidate from the village of Colver, has a low-profile campaign.

The other five Democrats have been around and have name recognition – Nick Molnar and Jim Lamont via union work and UMWA contacts, Dave Kuhar as the spouse of elected county row officer Susan Kuhar, David Gehlman as a businessman and Frank Burns as a township supervisor and state Democratic Party official.

Even they agree the primary will be part popularity contest, part name recognition and part luck.

Their messages are not dissimilar:

“Build bridges between state and local governments” – Burns.

“We need solutions so everyone can have a better life” – Gehlman.

“I can make the quality of life better” – Kuhar.

“I like where I live, and I want to preserve the community so that others don’t have to leave” – Lambie.

“I’ve spent my life fighting for workers’ rights” – Lamont.

“I want to continue working for the people” – Molnar.

Molnar, a retired UMWA District 2 executive, is concerned about job losses and wants to see infrastructure improvements to attract new businesses to the region.

For education funding, Molnar would like to see slot-revenue contributions.

He is opposed to privatizing the turnpike and favors completing Route 219.

Voters should decide such issues as school district consolidation and new stadiums, he said.

Lamont, a UMWA safety representative, would like to see the state’s economy improve by broadening the Keystone Opportunity Zones to attract new businesses, along with decreased gas prices.

He is opposed to public funds being used to build sports facilities and would like to see gaming revenue used for education funding or property tax relief. He opposes privatizing the turnpike, and terms the completion of Route 219 as “vital.”

Lambie, a social studies teacher who lives in Colver but travels 85 miles to work, is passionate about the need for more jobs in the region.

“I like where I live, and I shouldn’t have to leave to get a job,” he said.

Lambie sais finishing Route 219 is essential, and tax money should be loaned, not given, to some recreational projects. Lambie said he trusts school systems to spend the money the state gives them, but would like to see savings via consolidated purchasing of books and other items.

He opposes privatizing the turnpike and tolls on Interstate 80.

Kuhar is a golf professional and new member of the Ebensburg Borough Council.

He does not think state government should provide incentives to help the stalled economy unless conditions get “very bad.”

It will be difficult to find funding for the completion of Route 219, he cautions.

Kuhar favors using regional coalitions to build clout in the state Legislature and favors four-year terms for both state House and Senate members.

Gehlman, who leases and operates the Johnstown Municipal Golf Course, touts his skills as a businessman and stresses the need for cooperation. “We need to build a team in Harrisburg,” he said.

When public money is spent on sports facilities, a surcharge on tickets should be imposed to pay back the state, he said. The state’s education financing formula is “unfair and outdated,” he said.

He favors term limits to break down the seniority blocs of legislators from Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.

Burns, who conducts cosmetic dentistry seminars, also favors coalitions between state and local governments.

He views stadiums as investments worthy of public funding and would like to see gaming revenue help with education financing.

He favors finishing Route 219 only if it can be done without raising taxes. Concerning term limits for state legislators, Burns said House terms should be expanded from the current two years to four or six years, and then a cap set at eight or 12 years of total service.

Yesenosky declined to be interviewed.

In November, the Democratic winner will face Voccio, whose conservative platform includes the philosophy that the state’s taxes are oppressive and its regulations are a burden. Voccio says that, if elected, he will not accept a pension.

        

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