Crowded field is emerging for Reschenthaler’s state seat

Out of respect for time and accuracy, it might be better to list who isn’t running for Pennsylvania’s 37th Senatorial District.

Edgar Snyder isn’t. Neither is Joanne Rogers, nor Joe Grushecky. And that South Hillsborn guy from the television series “Lone Star” (Mark Deklin)? He’s not, either.

Then, there are all of the aspiring candidates who actually are considering a run for the seat — the lawyers, business people and party gurus whose names are

whispered in Democratic and Republican circles as potential standard-bearers. That’s the fun of a special election: with no incumbent vying for the seat, seemingly everyone’s on the table — and those who aren’t know of a dozen others who are, even if they’re not.

“No,” said state Rep. Dan Miller when asked last week if he’s considering a run — a rumor that has been making the rounds. “Not at all.”

The early rush to get into this race, though, is indicative of the stakes: Democrats say they’re energized by midterm momentum to take the seat back from GOP hands after Republican incumbent Guy Reschenthaler resigns to start his new gig in Congress in January, while Republicans hope favorable demographics and the right candidate can keep it red.

Three Republicans have decided to run or are seriously considering it: D. Raja, the Allegheny County Republican Committee chairman; South Hills business owner Devlin Robinson; and North Fayette Supervisor Bob Doddato.

On the Democrats’ side, five people confirmed to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that they’re going to run or are considering a bid: attorney William Caye II; Mike Crossey, the former Pennsylvania State Education Association president; former Navy officer Pam Iovino; Mark Scappe, a Moon Area school board member; and emergency physician Bob Solomon. Two others also are considering a run, according to people familiar with their thinking: former state Rep. Martin Schmotzer and Olivia Benson, the Women and Girls Foundation community engagement director.

And, in case that wasn’t enough, Jeffrey Vermeire, a Collier resident and data engineer, has announced he’s running as part of the Keystone Federalist Party.

Party insiders expect Mr. Reschenthaler to resign from his state seat — which represents communities in Allegheny County’s southern and western suburbs as well as Peters in Washington County — before he’s sworn into Congress on Jan. 3. After his resignation, the lieutenant governor will have 10 days to set a date for a special election, at least 60 days out from there. Party officials expect the election to be pinned to May’s primary.

For Republicans, Mr. Raja, 53, of Mt. Lebanon, appears to have the support of party leaders early on. As chair and founder of the Robinson-based Computer Enterprises Inc., he touts the endorsements of Mr. Reschenthaler, U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey and members of the state Senate Republican leadership.

Jack Cairns, chair of the Robinson Township Republican Party, said the party should nominate someone who will continue the model of Mr. Reschenthaler’s leadership — pragmatic, accessible and “looking out for the interests of all Pennsylvanians.”

Mr. Robinson, a former corporal for the Marine Corps who resides in Bridgeville, is president of Veterans Medical Technology LLC. He managed former U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy’s successful 2014 reelection campaign.

Mr. Doddato, 36, is a program manager at Highmark who ran for the 44th Legislative District earlier this year but lost in the primary.

Successful Democratic candidates in the fiscally conservative district are typically those who are socially moderate and willing to work across the aisle, said Sean McCurdy, chairman of the Chartiers Valley Democratic Chairs organization, which oversees Democratic chairs in 30 communities across the district.

“Many of our voters will cross party lines for the right candidate,” Mr. McCurdy said. “Especially this seat, you really do have to have the right candidate. If we could clone Conor Lamb, someone that has a lot of the same characteristics would do very well in this district.”

Mr. McCurdy added, “I believe we’re going to see the field whittled down to three or four candidates.”

Most of the Democrats mulling bids have political experience. Mr. Schmotzer is the only one to have won a race; he represented the 22nd Legislative District from 2012 to 2013. Mr. Crossey and Ms. Iovino were primary candidates for the recent special election in the 18th Congressional District. So was Mr. Solomon, who followed it up with a primary bid for the 14th.

In special elections, the parties choose their nominees, and though their procedures differ slightly, local Republican and Democratic officials will schedule dates to convene and select their choices.

Mr. McCurdy said his group will hold candidate forums in South Park, Mt. Lebanon and Moon once the race heats up.

It’ll be interesting to see how many hours those go.