Sandra K. Reabuck and Mike Faher
sreabuck@tribdem.com
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While there’s no presidential race to draw record numbers of volunteers and voters, those who lead political operations in Cambria and Somerset counties nonetheless are gearing up for a busy fall campaign season.
With less than three months to go before the general election, party committee officials are planning rallies, picnics, fair booths and even a “corn boil” – anything to get out the vote.
Party leaders say it’s a critical year, with offices including governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House and state legislative posts listed on the ballot.
“When you look at the economic conditions of the country and the state, all these races are extremely important,” said Bruce Hottle, Somerset County Republican Committee chairman.
In Cambria County, it will be the first campaign season for Heath Long as Democratic chairman, though he is no stranger to political races.
Long, who was elected to the post in June, has served as manager and adviser for many candidates.
Cambria’s Democrats will kick off the fall campaign with a rally at 7 p.m. Sept. 16 at Ace’s Lounge in Johnstown.
The other Cambria Democratic rallies, also set for 7 p.m., are scheduled for Sept. 23 at Gallitzin Italian Club; Sept. 30, East Taylor fire hall; Oct. 7, Ebensburg VFW; Oct. 14, Joey Del’s Lounge in Stonycreek Township; and Oct. 21 at the Community Center in St. Benedict.
The fall campaign will wrap up with a breakfast at 9 a.m. Oct. 30 at Ace’s Lounge.
Cambria Republicans, while not yet having a rally schedule, held a picnic Sunday at Lorain Borough Park and will host a corn boil Aug. 22 at the Dick Davis Farm in Clearfield Township.
GOP Chairman Robert A. Gleason Jr. said Republican activities will be centered at what is being called a “victory center” – at Cambria’s Republican headquarters, 450 Luray Ave. in Richland Township.
Two state House seats and the 12th Congressional District race will generate a lot of interest locally, both chairmen agreed.
Democrats want to see the re-election of incumbent state
Rep. Bryan Barbin of the 71st district, and state Rep. Gary Haluska of the 73rd district.
Barbin is facing a challenge from Republican Jim Rigby in a rerun of two years ago, when Barbin won the seat. Haluska is opposed by GOP contender Stephen Shuagis of Munster.
Long said he believes “it’s important to maintain the Democratic majority in the (state) House, particularly with redistricting in the future.”
The other state House incumbent from Cambria, Democrat Frank Burns of the 72nd district, has no Republican opposition.
Democrats also are pushing for U.S. Rep. Mark Critz to gain a full two-year term in Congress in the 12th district. Critz defeated Republican Tim Burns in a special election in May to fill the unexpired term of the late Rep. John P. Murtha.
“I just talked to Mark this week, and by no means is he taking this campaign lightly,” Long said. “But we are confident that the results will be the same as in the special election.”
Gleason believes that the three Republican candidates are engaging in very competitive races.
“Tim Burns did very well in the special election, and Jim Rigby came very close (two years ago),” Gleason said.
In Somerset County, two state House spots and a state Senate post all are uncontested.
In addition to Frank Burns’ 72nd district, which extends into northern Somerset County, there’s also Republican state Rep. Carl Walker Metzgar
– running unopposed in the 69th district – and Democratic state Sen. Richard Kasunic, who has no opposition in the 32nd district.
But both of the counties’ congressional races feature two candidates. In addition to the Critz vs. Burns matchup in the 12th district, incumbent Republican Bill Shuster will face Democrat Tom Conners in the 9th district.
Like Long in Cambria County, James Shepley is entering his first election season as Somerset County Democratic Committee chairman.
Shepley said the governor’s race – pitting Democrat Dan Onorato against Republican Tom Corbett – will bring voters to the polls on Nov. 2.
“I think that’s going to be a really tight race,” Shepley said.
Also of interest is the U.S. Senate contest between Democrat Joe Sestak and Republican Pat Toomey, who are vying to replace longtime U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter.
To drum up interest, Somerset Democrats are planning to staff a booth at the county fair later this month. Also, the committee’s fall banquet is scheduled for Oct. 23 at Berlin’s community center, and a rally is set for Oct. 26 at the Somerset VFW.
Somerset’s Republicans also have a fair booth planned.
“We do that every year to get information out on our candidates and offer voter-registration information,” Hottle said.
Additionally, the Somerset County GOP fall banquet is scheduled for Oct. 21 at Berlin’s fire hall.
