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.
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 West Mifflin 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.
- 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.
- 42nd state Senate District: Incumbent state Sen. Wayne Fontana and Paul Steenkiste, both of Pittsburgh, filed petitions to seek the Democratic nomiation. No Republicans filed petitions.
- 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.
- 12th state House District: Ethan Nicholas and Scott Timko, both of Cranberry, filed petitions to seek the Republican nomination. Brandon Dukes of Cranberry was the lone Democrat to file a petition. State Rep. Stephenie Scialabba, R-Cranberry, is not seeking reelection.
- 24th state House District: Incumbent state Rep. La’Tasha Mayes and William Anderson, both of Pittsburgh, filed petitions to seek the Democratic nomination. No Republicans filed petitions.
- 34th state House District: Incumbent state Rep. Abigail Salisbury of Swissvale and Todd Koger of Pittsburgh filed petitions to seek the Democratic nomination. No Republicans filed petitions.
- 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.
- 45th state House District: Allegheny County Council President Pat Catena of Carnegie, Brittany Bloam of Robinson, Fred Coleman of Carnegie and Cameron Grosh of Kennedy filed petitions to seek the Democratic nomination. Rocco Cozza and James Julius, both of Robinson, filed petitions to seek the Republican nomination. State Rep. Anita Astorino Kulik, D-Kennedy, is not seeking reelection.
- 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.
- 59th state House District: Lisa Gephart of Mt. Pleasant Township and Jordan Omlor of Latrobe filed petitions to seek the Democratic nomination. Incumbent state Rep. Leslie Rossi of Unity was the lone Republican to file a petition.
