PA Lawmakers Seek New Offices
A half-dozen State Reps. won primary elections for various local offices, last month, and will appear on the November ballot. For instance, Republican Doug Reichley is on the ballot for a judicial post in Lehigh County. Discussing the large number of lawmakers who may bolt Harrisburg, Reichley says it comes and goes in cycles. “I think there were just two members in the ’09 elections that ran, so I think it is coincidence this year with the number of members who are running for other elected offices.”
Reichley has served the residents of Lehigh and Berks Counties since he was first elected to the House in 2002, and admits he would appreciate a chance to serve closer to home. “The amount of time away from home that is required by the job – both to be in Harrisburg and to be doing events in the district – really does take a toll on your family life,” said Reichley, who has two children at home.
Also on the November ballot is Democrat Josh Shapiro, who’s campaigning for Montgomery County Commissioner. He calls the opportunity too much to pass up. “For me it was about helping people in a more direct way, about having the opportunity to affect more lives than I do now in a positive way,” Shapiro says. He’s also drawn to the executive role of a county commissioner.
Six State Reps in all could be voted into new jobs this fall: four Democrats and two Republicans. Republican Dennis O’Brien and Democrat Kenyatta Johnson are each eying seats on Philadelphia City Council. O’Brien, of course, served as Speaker of the House from 2007 to 2008. Special elections would be called next year to fill any vacant seats.
