About Jeremy Boren

Jeremy Boren 412-320-7935
Staff Reporter
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Contact Us | Video | RSS | Mobile

Daily Photo Galleries

Friday - May 24, 2013

Politics Photo Galleries

Mayoral nominee Peduto plans city hall house-cleaning if he’s elected

Republican and Democratic party officials will choose nominees in the next two weeks to run in a special election to represent former state Sen. Jane Orie's district.

Democrats plan to nominate a candidate next Thursday; Republicans are set to do so June 16. A special election is scheduled for Aug. 7 to fill the remainder of Orie's term in the 40th Senate District, which expires in 2014.

Orie, 50, of McCandless resigned May 21. A jury convicted her in March of 14 crimes related to using public resources for political campaigns and an attempt to use forged documents as evidence in court.

Orie will be sentenced on Monday. An Allegheny County judge on Thursday froze her campaign account and pension account until he decides how much restitution she will pay.

Republicans make up 46.4 percent of the 181,482 registered voters in the 40th district. Democrats make up 40.9 percent. The remainder belong to other parties.

Representatives from both political parties said candidates will give brief presentations about their qualifications and answer questions before party officials select a nominee.

Registered Republicans who have lived in the 40th Senate District for at least a year, in Pennsylvania for at least four years and have been U.S. citizens for at least four years are eligible to seek the nomination. Those interested may contact the state GOP committee at 717-234-4901, extension 151.

Seven Republicans have expressed interest in the job: former U.S. Rep. Melissa Hart, Hampton lawyer Christopher Abernethy, Valencia businessman Doug Austin, former Allegheny County Controller candidate Robert Howard, North Hills school director Jeff Meyer, Butler County Republican Committee vice chairwoman Robin Redding and Allegheny County GOP treasurer Karen Shaheen.

Ross Commissioner Dan DeMarco, who lost to Orie in 2010, said he is considering seeking the Democratic nomination. No one else has publicly announced interest in the nomination.

Potential Democratic candidates must submit a letter of intent by 5 p.m. Tuesday. The committee is headquartered at 223 Fourth Ave., 1st Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, or on the Web at www.alleghenydemocrats.com.

1. Locke, Pirates power past Brewers, 5-2
2. Pirates notebook: Cutter a boon for Melancon
3. Kovacevic: Matt Cooke 1, Ottawa Senators 0
4. Outdoor notices: May 25, 2013
5. Thousands walk, run last mile of marathon
6. Vehicle slams into bakery, no injuries
7. Penguins rout Senators, return to Eastern Conference final
8. Letang dazzles with dynamic play in Game 5 win
9. Steelers hope new blocking scheme kick-starts running game
10. Pipeline project creates unease in Westmoreland County
11. Pitt awaits NCAA Tournament fate after loss to Notre Dame in Big East baseball

Subscribe today! Click here for our subscription offers.