Chiropractor to seek Saccone’s House seat
An Elizabeth Township chiropractor hopes to replace Republican state Rep. Rick Saccone in the Pennsylvania House’s 39th District.
“I want to put my business and government experience to work for this community,” Democrat Robert Rhoderick said in a statement announcing his campaign. “I believe that every challenge has a solution, and that by bringing everyone together and listening we can come to an understanding.”
Mr. Saccone, of Elizabeth Township, is running in the March 13 special election for the 18th Congressional District. His campaign manager confirmed Friday that Mr. Saccone will not seek to hold his seat in Harrisburg this year. Mr. Saccone faces Democrat Conor Lamb in the special election to replace
former U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, a Republican.
Mr. Rhoderick declared himself a candidate in the May primary, though if Mr. Saccone wins his race, a special election would need to be held in the 39th District.
Mr. Rhoderick is a commissioner in Elizabeth Township and chairs its Democratic committee. He’s a former staffer for state Rep. Bill Kortz, D-Dravosburg, and a former board member for the Elizabeth Forward School District.
As a township commissioner, Mr. Rhoderick has backed a proposal by the firm Invenergy to build a natural gas-fired power plant on a former industrial landfill. His campaign announcement referred to that plan, which has generated controversy, observing, “I support the economic growth and workforce development that the energy industry offers.”
Mr. Rhoderick appears to be the only candidate to formally declare his candidacy and numbers a slew of Democratic legislators as supporters.
The 39th District spans portions of Allegheny and Washington counties, including Elizabeth Township and Elizabeth Borough and portions of Bethel Park, South Park, Jefferson Hills and Finleyville.