Rookie Pa. candidates score election landslides
One of the candidates did time in prison.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Former NFL lineman Greg Skrepenak and millionaire lumber executive Joe Hardy were both political novices who had never run for elected office.
Score one for the rookies.
Skrepenak and Hardy were landslide winners in their respective primaries for county commissioner Tuesday, while former state Sen. William Slocum, who spent time in prison for environmental violations, lost a comeback bid.
Fayette County
Hardy, the founder of 84 Lumber, was the top vote-getter in the Republican primary for Fayette County commissioner.
"It's thrilling," said Hardy, 80, who also developed Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa. "I hope this encourages more successful people in business to get in the elective arena."
In Luzerne County, Skrepenak, a former offensive lineman for the Oakland Raiders and Carolina Panthers, trounced a field of six Democrats for one of two nominations.
"This is equal to any game I won in the NFL," said Skrepenak, who reached an NFC Championship game with the Panthers.
There were thousands of local races statewide, including contested mayoral primaries in Easton, Bethlehem and Wilkes-Barre, but few seemed to generate voter excitement. Voter apathy prevailed.
Leading in Bethlehem
With nearly all precincts reporting, Bethlehem City Councilman John Callahan led interim Bethlehem Mayor James Delgrosso by fewer than 300 votes for the Democratic nomination. The winner will face Republican James Follweiler, who was unopposed.
Turnout in Bethlehem was extremely low, particularly in light of a contested mayoral primary. Some polling places that typically see 700 voters got half that.
"I thought I ran a positive campaign and I felt comfortable with that," said Delgrosso, who conceded the race. "It hurts when you give your life to a city."
In Wilkes-Barre, City Council President Tom Leighton declared victory over two-term incumbent Democratic Mayor Tom McGroarty. Christine Katsock was leading James Verdekal Jr. and Harry Haas for the GOP nod.
Warren County
In Warren County, Slocum lost his bid for a Republican nod for county commissioner, finishing fourth in a field of 13 for one of two GOP nominations.
Slocum, who resigned his Senate seat and served a month in federal prison for failing to prevent sewage sludge from being dumped into a trout stream, said he doesn't know whether he'll make another stab at political office.
In Pittsburgh, incumbent Republican Allegheny County Executive Jim Roddey will face Democrat opponent Dan Onorato in the fall; both ran unopposed in the primary.