Supreme Court rules Bartolotta challenger can stay on ballot

It decided in favor of Al Buchtan, upholding a Commonwealth Court decision by a 4-3 margin.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has ended the legal fight over whether Republican state Senate candidate Al Buchtan can remain on the ballot in next month’s primary, clearing the way for him to continue his challenge against incumbent Sen. Camera Bartolotta in the 46th District.

Buchtan

In a 4-3 ruling issued April 10, the court upheld a Commonwealth Court decision allowing Buchtan to stay on the ballot, but ordered that his nomination petition be amended to list his legal residence as Carmichaels in Greene County.

The case centered on whether Buchtan improperly listed a Canonsburg address on his nomination paperwork while maintaining his actual residence in Carmichaels, where his wife and stepdaughter live.

Buchtan testified during a March hearing that he rents a home in Canonsburg and spends much of his time there, but still owns and uses the Greene County home. Both properties are within the 46th Senate District.

The three Republican voters who challenged Buchtan’s candidacy

Bartolotta

argued that listing a Washington County address gave him a political advantage because Washington County has far more Republican voters than Greene County.

Commonwealth Court Judge Stacy Wallace ruled earlier this month that Buchtan’s true residence remains in Greene County, but found he did not intentionally try to mislead voters. Wallace ordered him to amend his paperwork rather than be removed from the ballot.

The Supreme Court agreed.

In its brief order, the court said Buchtan’s nomination petition “is deemed amended” to reflect his Greene County address. A longer opinion explaining the court’s reasoning has not yet been released.

The split among the justices may still become part of the campaign. Three justices dissented from the ruling, while four voted to keep Buchtan on the ballot.

With the court challenge settled, the race is expected to shift back to issues and to a growing divide within the local Republican Party.

Buchtan has drawn support from some conservative activists in Washington County who have criticized Bartolotta and are looking for a different direction in the district.

Bartolotta, who has represented the district since 2014, is expected to focus on her experience and record in office as the campaign enters its final month.

The Republican primary is May 19.

Buchtan said he wants the campaign to focus on economic issues and frustration with state government.

“The people in our district are tired of the high taxes, high utilities, reckless debt and out-of-control spending that both parties in Harrisburg are responsible for,” Buchtan said. “My plan is to bring fiscal responsibility and accountability to the people. That is my focus.”

He said the cost of living is the biggest issue facing voters in the 46th District.

“Everything is too expensive and Harrisburg raised the gas tax years ago and it’s killing people,” Buchtan said. “We need to repeal the gas tax hike. They are hurting our youth and senior citizens.”

Buchtan believes Republican voters are looking for change after Bartolotta’s 12 years in office.

“They are looking for somebody who will vote for the forgotten taxpayer and not the special interests that dominate Harrisburg,” he said. “They want a true conservative leader who will take action on their behalf, not lip service.”

Buchtan said he has rec eived strong support throughout the district while campaigning, especially in the Mon Valley.

“I have been getting lots of positive support from all over the district,” he said. “The Mon Valley has been one of my strongest areas.”

He said the district’s biggest challenge over the next several years will be lowering costs and keeping people from leaving the area.

“Bringing costs down, whether it’s taxes, utilities, homes and general cost of living so people don’t feel they have to flee this area,” Buchtan said.

Buchtan said his campaign plans to spend the final weeks before the May 19 primary continuing to spread its message across the district.

“Our campaign is doing great. We have tons of support, especially in the Mon Valley,” he said.

Bartolotta’s campaign team did not respond to requests for comment prior to press time.