While Democrat Bryan Barbin and Republican Jim Rigby come from different backgrounds, they share a common goal: Bring jobs back to the state House’s 71st Legislative District.
The men are vying to replace retiring state Rep. Ed Wojnaroski in a 14-municipality district that includes the financially distressed city of Johnstown.
Bryan Barbin video
Jim Rigby video
So the region’s economy – and the economic opportunities for future generations – is a big concern for both candidates.
“It’s going to be jobs – that’s what matters,” Barbin said.
The Johnstown lawyer has focused heavily on creating “family-sustaining jobs” by reviving the region’s steel and coal industries. Carrying endorsements from several labor organizations, Barbin also has stressed the importance of a unionized work force.
“We need to provide the (governmental) incentives to use the assets we have right here in the district,” Barbin said.
Rigby argues that Pennsylvania needs tax cuts, tort reform and a rollback of governmental regulation to encourage commercial growth.
He noted that Forbes Magazine’s rankings of the most business-friendly states placed Pennsylvania 41st in the nation.
The problem, Rigby said, is “not the area, and it’s not the work force. It’s the system that’s flawed.”
Neither candidate has attacked any aspect of the other’s economic plans. In fact, there has no negative advertising or mudslinging throughout the general-election campaign.
The two say they have agreed to run an issues-oriented campaign. But they also share many of the same priorities.
Both describe themselves as anti-abortion, “pro-family” and pro-gun rights. In interviews and a recent debate, both have argued for lower college costs, a decreasing property-tax burden and more cash for volunteer firefighters.
If elected, though, each candidate would bring different experiences to the state House.
Barbin has a quarter-century of experience in the legal field and is the fourth generation of his family to practice law here.
He has experience with state government, including more than six years with the state attorney general’s office.
Barbin also previously founded and managed a law firm in Harrisburg.
“I know how to resolve state problems,” he said.
Rigby has no state experience but is heavily involved in local government. In Ferndale Borough, he has been a councilman for 16 years, a police officer for 24 years and a member of the volunteer fire company for three decades.
“My commitment has been community service,” Rigby said.
“That’s what I’m strong in.”
The only overtly political question to pop up during the campaign has centered on Barbin’s political affiliation.
He acknowledges switching from the Republican to the Democratic party in 2006. He said he was not planning a political run at the time and attributed the change to dissatisfaction with the GOP.
“I’m running as a Democrat because I believe they’re going to take care of the people that need to be taken care of,” Barbin said.
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