Petitions of GOP hopeful challenged

2/23/2008 3:33 AM

Nominating petitions of the Republican seeking to unseat incumbent state Rep. David Levdansky for the 39th District legislative seat have been challenged in Commonwealth Court.

The challenge was filed this week against the petitions of Vinnie Wright of Jefferson Hills.

A hearing before a Commonwealth Court panel was set for 1:30 p.m. March 3 in Pittsburgh.

Attorney Dennis Watson, who filed the challenge on behalf of two 39th District Republicans, said more than 100 of Wright's 363 signatures are being challenged for a number of reasons. If the court determines that Wright does not have at least 300 valid signatures, he would be removed from the ballot, leaving Levdansky unopposed.

Two other Republican candidates seeking to unseat Democratic incumbents are also facing petition challenges. William Russell is trying to oust longtime U.S. Rep. John Murtha in the 12th Congressional District, and Frank Yuvan is opposing one-term state Rep. Jesse White in the 46th Legislative District, but the challengers' candidacies could be in jeopardy.

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