Voters to Choose Orie Successor Tomorrow
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pennsylvania's new voter ID law will not be in effect.
Tomorrow, voters in the 40th Senatorial District will choose a candidate to fill the remaining term of former Sen. Jane Orie, who was sentenced in May to 2 ½ to 10 years in prison after her March conviction of using her legislative staff to perform political work.
Democrat Sharon Brown and Republican Rep. Randy Vulakovich are the two endorsed party candidates. Wexford automotive dealer Don Bindas is running as a write-in candidate.
Recently, the readers of the North Hills, Cranberry and Pine-Richland Patches were asked to submit questions to the candidates. The three editors of those Patch sites assembled those questions, and added a few of their own, for the candidates. Their answers were published in a series of stories earlier this month.
As voters go to the polls tomorrow, we asked each candidate to briefly summarize why they are qualified, and why they deserve to be elected.
Dr. Sharon Brown: "It is time for a new voice for the district – ethical, moderate, and principled – and a senator who will listen to the needs and issues of the citizens. As a nurse practitioner, educator and small business person, I have the background and real world experiences to create solid policies for the entire region.
Rep. Randy Vulakovich: "I’m for integrity in government, reasonable balanced budgets, and for creating a business friendly environment for our job creators."
Don Bindas: I am a locally known businessman in the Wexford area since 1992. I am running for the Pa Senate because the 40th District can do a lot better when our elected officials, who seem to be more interested in the party politics of national agendas, than addressing our local issues in Harrisburg, are not ignoring us.
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No matter who wins the Aug. 7 race, they may not get the chance to run again for the 40th District.
A revised legislative map approved June 8 moves the territory to the other side of the state.
Under the plan, Orie’s former territory—which encompassed parts of northern Allegheny County and southern Butler County—moves to Monroe and Northampton counties on the eastern half of the state to reflect growth near the New Jersey border.
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Secretary of the Commonwealth Carol Aichele said that the new voter ID requirements are not in effect for the Aug. 7 special election.
"The voter ID law officially takes effect Sept. 17," said Aichele, whose department oversees elections in Pennsylvania. "So, voters casting ballots to fill the vacancy in the 40th state senate district Aug. 7 will not be required to show photo ID."
Janet Butler
3:54 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
legally, voters will not have to show photo id for election tomorrow, but will be asked, to get everyone used to doing it for the November election. Voters voting in a new precinct for the first time will still be required to show picture ID.
Susan M.
7:18 pm on Monday, August 6, 2012
Randy Vulakovich is the only way to go.
Walt
11:23 am on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Probably true on Vulakovich, but I would have rather seen Melissa Hart get that nomination. Brown is a liberal Democrat trying to masquerade as a small business advocate. Bindas has some kooky alternative views but tries to still claim he's conservative. Hopefully Bindas doesn't manage to split the conservative vote so that the nomination goes to Brown.
Joyce Miller
3:51 pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
I think you are right about Brown, too liberal. Randy seems like a big OAF. Don Bindas was the only one who had answers.