Attorney running for state legislator

The first people who knew Alan Benyak planned to make a bid for the Democratic nomination as the state legislator from the 49th District were likely the Facebook friends who last week saw his announcement posted in black and gold, less than a week after Democratic state Rep. Pete Daley announced, for the first time in 30-plus years, he will not seek another term.
“I have lived, worked and served the residents of this district throughout my life. I am honored that people whom I respect have asked me to run because they believe I can be a strong advocate for our interests in Harrisburg,” said Benyak. “Our region is finally on the cusp of rebuilding and rebranding itself after 30 years of decline. Moving forward, we need someone ready to fight for our interests, especially our families, our seniors and out veterans.”
Benyak, a Charleroi resident who is solicitor of that borough, ran for Washington County judge two years ago, finishing third on the Democratic ticket and seventh on the Republican ballot in a race where two were to be nominated.
“I did very well in the 49th District, running first and second through all of it,” Benyak said last week.
Jan. 26 is the first day candidates are permitted to circulate nomination petitions.
In addition to four years of active duty as an Army lawyer, Benyak, 51, served eight years in the U.S. Army Reserves before leaving the military as a major in 1993 to start a private practice in Washington County.
During the course of his military career, he also was appointed to serve as a special assistant U.S. attorney.
In his practice, Benyak focuses on estate planning and administration, family law, municipal law, general civil litigation and real estate.
He earned his bachelor’s degree at Waynesburg University in 1985 and a law degree from Capital University in 1988 before graduating from the Judge Advocate General’s School in Charlottesville, Va.
He has been active on the boards of Community Action Southwest Head Start, Community Ambulance Service, Washington Township Area Senior Citizens, Redstone Cemetery and the United Way.
He is a member of American Legion Post 22 in Charleroi and both the Washington and Pennsylvania bar associations. He is a Mason and a member of Sons of Italy.
The legislative district includes Allenport, Beallsville, Bentleyville, California, Carroll, Charleroi, Coal Center, Cokeburg, Deemston, Donora, Dunlevy, Elco, Ellsworth, Fallowfield, Long Branch, Marianna, Monongahela, New Eagle, North Bethlehem, North Charleroi, Roscoe, Speers, Stockdale, Twilight, West Bethlehem, West Brownsville and West Pike Run in Washington County; and Belle Vernon, where he is solicitor for the municipal authority; Fayette City, Franklin, Jefferson, Newell and Washington Township in Fayette County, from which his father hails.
Two Republican candidates, Melanie Patterson of North Belle Vernon and Donald “Bud” Cook of West Pike Run Township, also have announced for the 49th race.