Primary races shaping up as candidates file nomination petitions

Signatures on nomination petitions can be challenged until next Tuesday.

By the MVI

The field of candidates for this year’s primary elections is taking shape.

Candidate filing deadlines passed Tuesday for the May primary elections in which Democratic and Republican voters will choose their nominees for governor, lieutenant governor, Congress and the state legislature.

The May 19 primary could feature more than a dozen contested races across Southwestern Pennsylvania for state House and Senate, the U.S. House and lieutenant governor, according to a state database of candidates who filed nomination paperwork to run for office.

The field of candidates isn’t set yet, though.

Signatures on nomination petitions can be challenged until next Tuesday, and that could potentially bounce some would-be candidates from appearing on the primary ballot if it’s determined they didn’t get enough valid signatures.

Candidates who did get enough valid signatures have until March 25 to withdraw from their respective races and not appear on the primary ballot.

The Pennsylvania Department of State database of people who filed nomination paperwork by Tuesday’s deadline shows there could be three contested races for state Senate in Southwestern Pennsylvania, eight for state House, two for the U.S. House and a contested race for lieutenant governor.

Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro faces no competition from his party in his bid for a second term. He’ll face state Treasurer Stacy Garrity, who similarly has no Republican primary opponent, in November’s general election.

Two Republicans filed paperwork to run for the GOP nomination for lieutenant governor: Jason Richey, an attorney from Sewickley who chairs the Republican Committee of Allegheny County; and John Ventre, a retired UPS security and public affairs executive from Hempfield. The presumptive Republican nominee for governor, state Treasurer Stacy Garrity, has endorsed Richey.

Lt. Gov. Austin Davis of McKeesport was the lone Democrat to file nomination paperwork.

Here’s who else filed nomination paperwork in the potential contested races, according to the Department of State:

• 12th Congressional District: Incumbent U.S. Rep. Summer Lee of Swissvale and William Parker of Pittsburgh filed petitions to seek the Democratic nomination. James Hayes of Pittsburgh was the lone Republican to file a petition.

• 14th Congressional District: Incumbent U.S. Rep. Guy Reschenthaler, a Republican from Peters Township, is seeking reelection. He will face Donora native and Democrat Alan Bradstock in the fall.

• 17th Congressional District: Beaver County Sheriff Tony Guy of Hopewell and Jesse James Vodvarka of Robinson filed petitions to seek the Republican nomination. Incumbent U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio of Fox Chapel was the lone Democrat to file a petition.

• 32nd state Senate District: Incumbent state Sen. Pat Stefano of Bullskin Township, Fayette County, and former state Rep. Harry Young Cochran of Connellsville filed petitions to seek the Republican nomination. Jacob H. Cecil of Windber, Somerset County, was the lone Democrat to file a petition.

• 46th state Senate District: Incumbent state Sen. Camera Bartolotta of Carroll Township, Washington County, and Al Buchtan of Canonsburg filed petitions to seek the Republican nomination. Evan Snyder of Nottingham, Washington County, was the lone Democrat to file a petition.

• 35th state House District: Rep. Dan Goughnour, a McKeesport Democrat, will face Republican challenger Jim Edwards in the fall.

• 39th state House District: Dylan Altemara and Kellianne Frketic, both of Elizabeth Township, filed petitions to seek the Democratic nomination. Incumbent state Rep. Andrew Kuzma of Elizabeth Township was the lone Republican to file a petition.

• 48th state House District: Incumbent Rep. Tim O’Neal, a Republican, will face Democratic challenger Rebecca Mactaggert in the fall.

• 50th state House District: Incumbent state Rep. Bud Cook of West Pike Run Township, Washington County, and Ben Humble of Waynesburg filed petitions to seek the Republican nomination. Lois Bower-Bjornson of North Bethlehem, Washington County, was the lone Democrat to file a petition.

• 58th state House District: Rep. Eric Davanzo, a Smithton Republican, will face Democratic challenger