PA Senate Candidate Refers to Opponent as "Recycled"

, D-McCandless has fired what appears to the first salvo in the race to replace Jane Orie as state senator in Pennsylvania’s 40th district, by referring to her opponent, , R-Shaler, as “another recycled politician.”

Voters will decide between Brown and Vulakovich in the August 7 special election to fill Orie’s unexpired term. following her conviction on charges she used her state-funded staff for political work. She was

“While Harrisburg is desperately in need of new leadership, the local Republican Party chose to recycle a current member of the inept legislature to run for state Senate,” said a statement from Brown’s campaign.

“We need real leadership in Harrisburg and I am willing to make the tough choices that it takes to be a leader in Pennsylvania,” said Brown. “After the felonies committed by Republicans in the North Hills like former Senator Jane Orie and former Representative Jeff Habay, the last thing the residents of the 40th district needs is another recycled politician hand-picked by the party machine as their state Senator.”

Vulakovich was elected first to represent the 30th District in 2007. He replaced former Habay, who, like Orie, was convicted of using his staff to do campaign work on state time.

"Randy Vulakovich has been a leader in reforming Harrisburg,” said his campaign manager, Mike Ward. “He has led by example refusing pay raises and perks. He looks forward to meeting the voters of the 40th Senate District and bringing his message of integrity in government, controlling state spending, and creating private sector jobs."

Vulakovich is a former police sergeant with the Shaler department.

Dr. Brown is a nurse with a doctorate in public health and epidemiology with a focus in environmental health policy. She owns a health consulting and research small business and resides in McCandless Township.

No matter who wins the August 7 race, they may not get the chance to run again for the 40th District. A revised legislative map approved 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.

North Hills Patch will be interviewing both candidates, but before we do, we want to know what questions you have for them.

Simply post your questions in the comments box below, and will make sure to add them to our list for each candidate.