Wilt drops out of race for state rep

By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR PENNSYLVANIA BUREAU
GREENVILLE, Pa. -- The 17th legislative district will have a new state representative in the fall.
Incumbent Rod Wilt announced Wednesday he is dropping out the race just weeks after securing the Republican Party's nomination for the fall election. The district includes portions of Mercer, Lawrence and Crawford counties.
Wilt, 42, in a written statement, said his main reason for not seeking re-election was his desire to spend more time with his family.
"It will be great to be home to watch and participate in more of my son's athletic events and school activities," he wrote. Wilt is married and has a 13-year-old son.
When contacted by telephone Wednesday, Wilt said he's been contemplating leaving office since 2004.
"Right after the last election I started thinking about it. At the last minute I filed my petition [for this past primary election], but I never felt comfortable with my decision," he said.
Wilt said he more recently re-examined that decision.
"After looking at the entire picture and what my life would be like, I decided not run," he said.
Wilt said he will file his formal paperwork withdrawing from the election with the Pennsylvania Department of State next week.
He ran unopposed in the primary election and was to face Democrat Frank Weaver of Wilmington Township, Lawrence County, in the general election.
A new candidate
The Republican Party will have the opportunity to nominate someone in Wilt's place for the coming election. They must submit that person's name to the state bureau of elections by Aug. 24, according to state rules.
Bill Kirk, chairman of the Mercer County Republican Party, said he is accepting r & eacute;sum & eacute;s and cover letters through June 16 from those interested in replacing Wilt on the ballot.
Kirk said they hope to have a new party nominee by mid-July.
Kirk said the new nominee will be chosen by a 15-person committee. The group is composed of party committee members from each county. The number of county representatives is based on the number of people in the party who voted in the last presidential election on the Republican ticket.
Kirk said there will be 10 people from Mercer County, four from Crawford County and one from Lawrence County based on a formula that allows one committee member per 1,000 votes cast in the election.
"I'd like to see a dedicated Republican with strong Republican values, more of the kind of our national platform," Kirk said.
Legacy and the future
Kirk said party members are disappointed to see Wilt leave.
"We felt Rod was a strong candidate. We appreciate his service," Kirk said.
When Wilt was first elected state representative in 1996, he became the first third-generation legislator to serve in Pennsylvania. His father served as a state representative and state senator in Mercer County and his grandfather served in the state Legislature from a district in Allegheny County.
Wilt serves on the house transportation, finance, game and fisheries committees, and the house Committee on Urban Affairs.
Wilt said he has no plans for when he leaves office Nov. 30.
"I have the next five months to make that decision," he said. Before being elected state representative, Wilt worked in commercial real estate and for Winner International.
cioffi@vindy.com