BY SANDRA K. REABUCK
Political pundits say that the spring’s primary election likely will have “wild and woolly” races for both the Democratic and GOP nominations for two open state House seats.
Voters in the 71st and 72nd districts will be choosing new state lawmakers with two veteran representatives – Ed Wojnaroski Sr., D-Johnstown, and Thomas Yewcic, D-Jackson Township – deciding not to seek re-election.
Yewcic, 53, now in his eighth term, said it’s time to pursue another career, while Wojnaroski, 68, who is in his sixth term, decided to retire.
When a seat opens up, oftentimes lots of candidates – lured by a $76,163 salary, generous health-care and pension benefits and the prestige of being a state lawmaker – decide to throw their hats into the ring, said G. Terry Madonna, a public policy professor and director of the Keystone Poll at Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster.
“For some people, that’s a pretty good job,” Madonna said. “You could have a wild and woolly primary season with everybody looking at that and saying, ‘Gee, that’s not bad.’ ”
Party leaders in Cambria and Somerset counties – a portion of Yewcic’s 72nd district stretches into northern Somerset County – say they are getting feelers from people thinking about whether to run.
And this could be an opening for a Republican to regain a foothold in Cambria’s delegation.
Cambria GOP Chairman Robert Gleason Jr.’s party fights uphill battles to get Republicans elected in the Democratic districts.
“With an open seat, this is a great opportunity for somebody to go to Harrisburg,” Gleason said.
In the 71st district, Rita Clark of Johnstown was the last Republican to hold that seat. She served one term in 1979-80.
In the 72nd district – when Richland Township still was part of it – Republican William Telek of Richland served as representative from 1979 until he was murdered in 1988 in Harrisburg.
His wife, Leona, also a Republican, then served two terms.
Since then, Richland has been moved into the 71st district.
But Cambria Democratic Chairwoman Helen Whiteford said that the party faithful will be working hard to send a Democrat to Harrisburg in both districts.
She declined to identify all the Democrats who are putting out feelers, but made this prediction.
“It’s going to be a free-for-all,” Whiteford said.
Somerset Democratic Chairman John Vatavuk said that so far, three Democrats from northern Somerset County have spoken to him about running. But he said they’re not ready to make any announcements yet.
Somerset GOP Chairman Bob Bastian suggested that any Republican contenders will emerge in Cambria County – where the majority of the voters reside.
Only two people – both Democrats – have told The Tribune-Democrat that they definitely are running.
In the 71st district, Thomas Chernisky of Geistown, one of Cambria County’s jury commissioners, says he is lining up support to make a bid for the nomination.
Lindsey Harteis of Cambria Township, a political newcomer who works during the week as a trade specialist for the state in Harrisburg, is seeking the 72nd district nomination.
Harteis, 23, a 2007 graduate of Franklin & Marshall College, says that she has worked in Harrisburg, both as an intern and in state jobs, since 2005.
Also in the 72nd, two other Democrats are considering running.
Former Cambria Controller Albert Penksa of Upper Yoder Township is a state Treasury Department supervisor.
“Yes, I’m considering it, and it’s more likely than not I will run,” Penksa said.
Ed Cernic Jr., Cambria County controller, said though he is interested, he recently was elected to a new term as controller.
“The timing is not good,” Cernic said.
Taking themselves out of the race are Cambria President Commissioner P.J. Stevens, who lives in the 72nd district, and Cambria Coroner Dennis Kwiatkowski, who lives in the 71st. Both have been mentioned as potential candidates for the Democratic nomination.
As of last week, seven Democrats and two Republicans were being mentioned in the 72nd district. In the 71st, three Democrats and four Republicans, including former Johnstown Mayor Don Zucco, are possibilities.
In the 72nd, Ben Kleban, 21, of Ogle Township, Somerset County, is considering a run for the Democratic nomination. He is a senior political science major at Pitt-Johnstown.
“It’s rare you have a chance to run without stepping on somebody’s toes. It’s always been a dream of mine to be able to do things to influence my town and my area,” Kleban said.
Other Democrats mentioned as possible contenders in the 72nd are Nick Molnar, a United Mine Workers executive; Dan Zakraysek, retired Upper Yoder Township police chief; and David Kuhar of Ebensburg, a golf professional.
Among Republicans potential contenders include Joe Veranese, a former Upper Yoder Township supervisor, and Scott Hunt, also of Upper Yoder.
In the 71st district, Democrats mentioned as possible candidates are Denny Conahan of Ferndale, who is active in the Steelworkers union, and Johnstown lawyer Bryan Barbin, a Westmont resident.
Among Republicans, contenders include Ann Wilson, city councilwoman; Wayne Langerholc, a Johnstown lawyer and Richland Township supervisor; and Ronald Esposito of Johnstown, a retiree.
A decision on whether to run will have to be made soon. Candidates can start circulating nomination petitions Jan. 22, with a Feb. 12 deadline for filing.
Candidates need to obtain the signatures of 300 members of their party to get on the ballot.
