By Dick Miller
WE.CONNECT.DOTS: Voters don’t pick their political leaders. In PA, districts are gerrymandered. No news there.
What is happening in the 50th PA Senate District insults local voters even more.
Bob Robbins, 70, R-Mercer, state senator for the last two decades, announced at the beginning of last week that he would not be a candidate for re-election. The new re-apportionment lines, which count for both the 2014 and 2018 elections, include all of Mercer and Crawford Counties, an eastern sliver of Warren County and a southern not much thicker slice of Erie County.
Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, R-Jefferson County, and Senate Democrat Leader Jay Costa, D-Allegheny County, know who they want to follow Robbins. They don’t live in the district.
Both power brokers have anointed single candidates in each primary two months before filing deadline. Both were among the very few to have had advance knowledge of Robbins’ retirement notice although the Senator held off telling his voters.
Within hours of Robbins’ retirement notice,each party closed ranks.
On the Republican side, Michele Brooks, 49, of Jamestown, currently a member of the state House of Representatives representing the 17th District, announced her intentions to replace Robbins. Her press release included a quote from Scarnati that extolled her “as a champion for rural Pennsylvania.”
Atty. Michael T. Muha, 30, has been campaigning to be the Democrat nominee for almost a year. Last week, he announced a fundraiser in the ritzy Mount Washington section of Pittsburgh. Hosts for the event include, in order of listing, Senator Costa, Democrat State Chair Jim Burn, a state representative from the southwest and two Pittsburgh City council members. These people do not vote in the 50th District.
Within 24 hours after hearing of Robbins’ retirement, voters of the 50th District were told — by outsiders — to look no further than Brooks and Muha to square off in the fall 2014 General Election.
The 50th Senatorial District was created in 1947, according to the Meadville Tribune. Only six Republican men have served as Senator in the 68-year history. Republicans hold a slight edge in registration but the district is highly conservative.
Republicans believe they can survive an “eat our own” primary battle. Greg Lucas, R-Erie County state House member, 5th District, has also announced he wants Robbins’ job. Thus, two GOP House members could vacate their current positions to ascend to the Senate, although recently there has been talk that Brooks may file for both seats.
With the exception of the first time Robbins ran for the office — a high profile battle — Democrats have never been able to become organized in this area. During the other 16 campaigns for the seat, outside Democrat resources were rare.
For these reasons and others, Democrats not taking the 50th Senate District opportunity serious is predictable. Muha has yet to reveal attributes that make him worthy of being Democrat nominee.
When asked to comment on Robbins’ retirement he was quick to praise his service. Prior to last week, he had expected to run against Robbins, according to previous public statements. Muha first registered as a Republican in September, 2001, at the age of 18. Muha voted in multiple elections in Mercer County through 2008. He re-registered as a Democrat in January, 2012.
During the time he was registered as a Republican and not registered at all in Mercer County, Muha served an internship with former U.S. Rep. Phil English, R-Erie.
Bottom Line: The 50th Senate District is home to over 125,000 eligible candidates for this very important office. Neither party formally endorses candidates, but have history of heeding outside power brokers.
Republican leaders will discourage Lucas from filing petitions. After party bosses detect some vulnerabilities in Brooks, they will pour $400,000 into her campaign. Democrat bosses will claim their meager funds do not stretch to include Muha. After an election of lesser evils, say “hello” to Sen. Brooks.
Disclaimer: This writer sent a $50 donation to Muha’s campaign several months ago. Memory is foggy, but most likely an appeal by a particular solicitor prevailed.
