Search
Close this search box.

SD37: Special Election Set For April 2

On Friday, outgoing Lt. Gov. Mike Stack announced April 2 as the special election date to fill the open state Senate seat vacated by Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R-Allegheny).

Reschenthaler was elected to represent the 14th Congressional District in the U.S. House after cruising to a victory over Democrat Bibiana Boerio in November. He represented the 37th state Senate District in Western PA since 2015 by winning a special election after state Sen. Matt Smith (D-Allegheny) resigned to become the president of the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that three Republicans and five Democrats have confirmed that “they had either decided to run for the seat or were strongly considering it.”

The Republicans who expressed interest are Raja, the Allegheny County Republican Committee chairman who narrowly lost a race for this seat in 2012 against Smith, Devlin Robinson, South Hills businessman and Marine Corps veteran, and North Fayette Supervisor Bob Doddato.

The possible Democratic candidates according to the Post-Gazette are attorney William Caye II, Mike Crossey, former Pennsylvania State Education Association president, former Navy officer Pam Iovino, Moon Area school board member Mark Scappe, and emergency room physician Dr. Bob Solomon.

The Post-Gazette also reports that former state Rep. Martin Schmotzer and Women and Girls Foundation community engagement director Olivia Benson are also mulling runs for the seat.

The parties will pick the candidates to run in the special election.

13 Responses

  1. I think I am also will gain this seat as a female candidate or maybe a male candidate or maybe both in 2018 and then I will maybe hold this seat in 2019.

  2. RAJA should think again about Chief Exec – FITZ had an undervote of 30,000 in his 2015 primary and an independent candidate who never campaigned had over 55,000 votes that November. (Honorable mention goes to Doug Shield’s dog who had over 5,000 write ins). DSA isn’t running anyone and there are even rumours they sold out to FITZ(so much for the revolution) He could fall like a big ugly rotting redwood.

  3. I think for a female candidate like Oliva Benson or Pam Iovino probably will gain this seat in 2018 and possibility some male Democratic Candidates might also gain that seat too in 2019 and for that seat will probably hold this seat in 2019.

  4. Republicans need a candidate with a compelling story that will appeal to the voters in the district and someone with experience. There is no one with a better resume than Raja. He has such a great story, he lived the American dream! He goes to show what a person with character, charisma, and dedication can achieve in this great country. Go Raja Go!

    1. Raja lost in 2012 for State Senate and also for County Executive against Rich Fitzgerald before that. Not a very compelling electoral resume, Allegheny Politico

      1. Incredibly successful business owner, Chairman of the RCAC, past president of the Mount Lebo council. Looks like a good resume to me. Reagan lost his first bid for president. T. Roosevelt lost an election. What’s your point? What expierence do the other candidates have?

          1. Mark Mustio ran a nasty campaign against Raja in 2012. Yeah, he’s a solid, trustworthy reference.

        1. Reagan? Roosevelt? Seriously? What made you decide that comparing Raja to Lincoln was a bridge too far? Lol

Email:
  • Do you agree that ByteDance should be forced to divest TikTok?


    • Yes. It's a national security risk. (60%)
    • No. It's an app used by millions and poses no threat. (40%)
    • What's ByteDance? (0%)

    Total Voters: 30

    Loading ... Loading ...
Continue to Browser

PoliticsPA

To install tap and choose
Add to Home Screen