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State Sen. Ferlo Won’t Run in 2014

Jim Ferlo
Jim Ferlo

State Sen. Jim Ferlo announced on the Senate floor Tuesday that he will not seek re-election in 2014.

“I have faithfully served the 38th district for over ten years, and I am proud to see the progress that has been made in the communities I represent,” Ferlo said.

“I am proud of my tenure, and proud of my staff, for diligently working to represent and serve the citizens of the 38th district. We have never turned our backs on anyone who comes in our doors, nor will we.”

A community activist, Ferlo, 61, was first elected in 2002 after serving 15 years on Pittsburgh City Council.

Rumors had abounded that Ferlo would retire due to the new map, as well as for health reasons.

Ferlo also cited the radically different district he would have faced due to redistricting.

During the reapportionment process, Ferlo’s seat was merged with that of state Sen. Randy Vulakovich (R-Allegheny). Gone are the Pittsburgh neighborhoods and Allegheny River towns that made the 38th district solid blue. In their place are deep red pockets in the North Hills of Allegheny County.

The 40th district, formerly that of ex-Sen. Jane Orie, was moved to Monroe County in northeast Pa.

The new SD-38 is good for Republicans. Mitt Romney beat Barack Obama there by 6.4% in 2012 despite losing the state overall by 5.4%. However, it’s not a slam dunk for the GOP. Sen. Bob Casey won the district by 0.6% and Kathleen Kane won by 5.8%.

One Response

  1. Another good senator leaving Pennsylvania; another victim of the PA GOP rigging districts and its other tricks. If Republicans are so great, why do they need to rig things in their own favor in order to win seats? Can’t they succeed on the merits of their party’s candidates and ideas? Excellent article in Rolling Stone this week, covering this nasty problem. Every Pennsylvanian should read this:

    http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/how-republicans-rig-the-game-20131111

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