Scott Hunt of Upper Yoder Township announced his candidacy for Republican nomination for the 72nd Legislative District of the state House of Representatives before family members and supporters at county GOP headquarters Monday.
This will be his third attempt to secure the seat once held by Tom Yewcic and now held by Frank Burns, both Democrats.
In 2006, Hunt defeated Joe Veranese in the Republican primary but lost to Yewcic in November. In 2008, Hunt dropped out of the race before the GOP primary, which went to former Tribune-Democrat Publisher Chris Voccio, who was then beaten by Burns in November.
Hunt said a major issue in the upcoming campaign will be the “state budget, or the lack of a budget” – a reference to the 2009 deadlock that lasted for 101 days. He said one of his priorities will be reducing or eliminating the property tax.
The district covers much of central and southern Cambria County and northern Somerset County.
Testimony: No staffer turned down a bonus
HARRISBURG – The former chief of staff to the House Democratic floor leader testified Monday that none of the people who were given bonuses out of state funds for working on campaigns ever turned down or returned the money.
Mike Manzo spent a fifth day on the stand in the theft, conspiracy and conflict-of-interest trial of former Democratic Whip Mike Veon and three ex-aides.
Manzo said he never asked any of the caucus attorneys directly about the legality of handing out cash rewards from the state treasury for election efforts.
