New candidate picked to run for 17th district

The incumbent decided not to run for re-election after winning the primary.
By MARY GRZEBIENIAK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
MERCER, Pa. -- Mercer County Commissioner Michele Brooks was the unanimous choice Monday night of a 14-member committee charged with picking a candidate to replace 17th District Republican State Rep. Rod E. Wilt on the November ballot.
Wilt, who was unopposed on the primary ballot for a sixth term, announced earlier this month he would not run in November. Frank Weaver of Wilmington Township in Lawrence County is the Democratic nominee for the post. The 17th District contains parts of Mercer, Lawrence and Crawford counties, and the seat has been held by Republicans for years.
Brooks, a Jamestown resident, is in the third year of her first four-year term as county commissioner. She was one of five candidates considered by the committee, which met at Republican Headquarters on the square here. She was elected on the first ballot.
If Brooks is elected to the state house in November, the replacement to fill her unexpired term would be appointed by the county's common pleas judges.
While pledging to continue to work hard as county commissioner, Brooks made it clear she will fight to win the 17th District seat in November, stating, "This summer there are 17 parades and a ton of fairs, and we will be at all of them."
The committee had convened under the direction of Allison Coccia, state Republican Committee Political Director, who was the designate of the state Republican chairman.
Each candidate was allowed to make a five minute presentation to the committee, which then asked questions.
Those attending
The other candidates for the spot were: James Hartley of Salem Township, a laborer at Hodge Foundry; Dr. David King, of Hempfield Township, an orthodontist who had previously held the 17th District seat but did not seek re-election before Wilt's election; Atty. Lewis McEwen, former county solicitor; and Atty. Daniel Wallace of West Salem Township, an assistant public defender.
A sixth announced candidate, Thomas Irwin of Sandy Lake Township, a paramedic and volunteer firefighter, did not show up to take part in the selection process Monday.
The 14 members of the committee, who had been selected by the Republican State Committee, were:
Mercer County -- Scott Boyd and Ed Henderson of Stoneboro, Jean Gilliland and Dorothy Hurtt of New Wilmington, Barry Knissly of Cochranton, James McCullough of Sharpsville, Harold McQuiston of Sandy Lake, Patricia Morgan and Helen Pilgram of Greenville and Mary Shay of Hadley.
Crawford County -- Charlotte Gillespie of Jamestown, Cecil Stevenson of Atlantic and David Stone of Meadville.
Lawrence County -- Charles Mansell of New Wilmington.
The candidates' presentations were closed to the press and the public.