Daley not endorsing in Mon Valley race
Randy Barli
Donn Henderson
Brendan Garay
Mayor Robert Kepics
Alan Benyak
Bud Cook
Melanie Patterson
There are contests on both the Democratic and Republican ballots in the Mon Valley’s 49th Legislative District, where each party will nominate a potential successor to state Rep. Peter J. Daley, who is retiring after 34 years in office.
Daley, in an interview in California Borough, said that he does not intend to endorse any legislative candidate in the race, but is, instead, taking a wait-and-see approach.
“My philosophy is this: If you want to get it, then you work for it. My endorsement is really not necessary,” Daley said. “They need to get the endorsement of the public.
“Whoever the Democratic nominee is, I will wholeheartedly support,” he said of the race in which six are vying for a nomination. On the Republican ticket, two candidates entered the race.
When voters read their ballots, they may have a feeling of déja vu because they’ve seen the names before, some in the 49th District and others in the candidates’ home communities.
Of the six Democrats vying for the nomination, only one, Brendan Garay of California, is seeking public office for the first time although he is student government president at California University of Pennsylvania.
Randy Barli has also run against Daley six times. He has also sought the Democratic nomination for Washington County commissioner four times between 2003 and 2015.
Mark Alterici has been a member of Charleroi Borough Council for 20 years. Bob Kepics was first elected Monongahela mayor in 2007 after serving for 10 years on city council.
Donn R. Henderson is a former Fallowfield Township supervisor. Alan Benyak, Charleroi solicitor, was candidate for judge in 2013 when his name appeared on Democratic and Republican ballots in Washington County.
West Pike Run Township resident Bud Cook was Daley’s Republican opponent two years ago. His primary opponent, Melanie Stringhill Patterson, the lone Fayette County resident in the race, is seeking elected office for the first time. She is the inventor, manufacturer and distributor of the baby product know as PIBS, a paper disposable bib on a roll.
The Observer-Reporter emailed two questions to those seeking their parties’ nomination.
Alterici: First thing we need to realize as elected officials is that we need to focus on the good of our constituents instead of party affiliation. Second, when we do have a gridlock, as the commonwealth has recently had ,we must realize that it is not fair for us to receive our payroll while all statewide organizations that are relying on funding are not receiving it.
Barli: Teamwork! Tactics need not be revealed until implemented.
Benyak: The first step to ending partisan gridlock in Harrisburg is for each legislator to approach every issue with a willingness to listen and respect other points of view. I believe it is important for each lawmaker to keep an open mind as I have learned to do over the course of my professional and personal life.
Garay: We need to put an end to the Republican vs. Democrat practices that have been going on for so long. Part of being a leader is working with colleagues and compromising. I understand that everyone wants to get what he or she wants, but we need legislators who are willing to compromise. For far too long, we have been subject to political battles and fighting over who is in the majority. Pennsylvanians deserve better. I am ready to go to work and dedicate 100 percent of my time to the taxpayers of not only my district, but the entire commonwealth.
Henderson: Having worked for various boards and served on so many I have learned from quality leaders how to compromise while holding on to what you believe in. An experienced grassroots approach may be just what the doctor ordered. I will stand for my core beliefs and try to persuade others to follow. At the end of the day we will focus on doing what is best for our constituents and not holding them hostage because of our inability to do our job. In addition, lawmakers should not be allowed to collect full pay until a complete budget is passed.
Kepics: I have dealt with numerous contracts, police and street department and with their raises, lowered taxes 8 mills and have the capability to take it to the next level and fight for a proper state budget. By looking at other avenues for taxes, in fact, lowering taxes like I did in Monongahela; looking into the gas wells after they are established; looking into taxes like they did in the south, Georgia and Virginia, personal property tax on campers, boats and vehicles; and also try to help to get taxes for the schools which would reduce property tax and school tax.
Cook: First, we must stop treating elections as popularity contests. I have invested countless hours into breaking down the causes of the problems ranging from local, county and state government. We must all acknowledge and accept that new and innovative ideas are what is needed to change our course. We must ensure accountability and efficiency which has lacked for far too long. We must create jobs by utilizing our natural and manmade assets. We could and should be a global connection point for commerce. We can correct our course with a plan, our faith and our families to redefine our futures.
Patterson: It is not partisan gridlock impeding progress in Harrisburg. It is a fight over the future direction of our state and how we treat taxpayers. The governor is insisting on massive tax and spending increases that too many across our state have said they cannot afford. The Legislature is resisting those proposals in lieu of controlling costs first – before any tax increases are even considered. I stand with taxpayers in this effort. However, I will work with anyone, of any party, who brings forth good ideas – particularly on how to help Pennsylvanians without digging deeper into our pocket.
Alterici: My years of service to the community as a leader, including Charleroi council for 20 years and president for eight; four years as president of Tri-County Borough Association, chairman of the Charleroi Community Park board of trustees and chairman of the Washington County Tourism Board. Serving my third year at the county level has helped me expand my knowledge of the needs throughout the 49th District. I have had great boards to work with. I could not be a leader without the faith and support of the people I have been fortunate enough to serve with.
Barli: Responsibility is defined as “the ability to respond.” Prosperous business/employment, law enforcement, health and education are the top priorities. Experience has given me the ability to respond with the necessary ammunition to overcome the personalities which have placed our district, state and country in the economic crisis faced by all.
Benyak: As a lawyer, former Army major and long-time community volunteer, I have the knowledge, leadership skills, understanding and temperament to best serve our hard-working families, seniors, veterans and most vulnerable citizens. I am ready to serve.
Garay: I am the best candidate to change the status quo in Harrisburg we are experiencing. I am ready to bring bold, new leadership to the House floor. I have a proven record of getting things done as president of student government. I do not have a personal agenda. I want to serve the hardworking people in my district. I will dedicate 100 percent of my time to the taxpayers and I will not rest until my job is done. It’s time for a change in Harrisburg and I believe I am the only candidate that can change the status quo.
Henderson: No other candidate has served the community to the extent I have both as a volunteer and as a professional. It is really that simple. As a twice-elected township official or as a member of the county tourism board, redevelopment authority, Lions Club, borough manager, business development specialist or the Main Street Pennsylvania Downtown Center board, I have been a leader in community efforts for my entire adult life. Working the system or working to change the system, I have always been willing to stand up and sacrifice to make our communities stronger and better places to live.
Kepics: Eighteen years of experience without a break in service; 10 years as a councilman dealing with each different department: code enforcement, public safety, street department and parks and property. As mayor, overseeing all departments and also rebuilding a police department with over 500 drug busts; before I was mayor there were zero drug busts.
Cook: Republicans had complete control of state government in Harrisburg from 1995 through 2006, and again from 2011 through 2014. And yet, our overall tax burden went up, not down. Government got larger, not smaller. And we are still one of the most corrupt states in the country, as reported by USA Today and elsewhere. Harrisburg, like Washington, is completely broken. Our state legislators are controlled by the lobbyists who fund their campaigns. The political class serves Wall Street, not Main Street. Nothing meaningful for taxpayers will happen until we elect men and women who are independent of the political class.
Patterson: I am political outsider with real-world skills and experience to bring to Harrisburg. As an entrepreneur, I understand how to change government to create jobs. As a lifelong resident, I understand the concerns of the people of the 49th District. As a taxpayer, I know we cannot afford Gov. Wolf’s disastrous proposals. As a conservative, I believe in limited government, personal freedom and our pro-life, pro-Second Amendment values. I also believe public service should be about service, which is why I will refuse the taxpayer-paid pension, per diems and perks and am the only candidate to do so.