Longietti goes to Gruitza for tips

The candidate says he wants to find ways to keep young people in the region.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR PENNSYLVANIA BUREAU
SHARON, Pa. -- When Mark Longietti threw his hat into the race for state representative, he expected a heated battle with incumbent Mike Gruitza.
But what he found is a smooth sailing through the primary with no competition when Gruitza, a 26-year incumbent, decided in January not to seek re-election. The Hermitage Democrat represents the 7th District. There are no declared Republican candidates.
"I anticipated that [Gruitza] would run. It's always a tough decision in politics -- when is the right time to run for office. After doing some soul searching, I felt this was the time," said Longietti, 42, of Farrell.
Longietti said he, like most of the Shenango Valley, read in the newspaper about Gruitza's decision not to seek re-election in the upcoming primary election.
The two met about three weeks later for more than an hour to talk about the job.
"He gave me some valuable insight about what to expect," Longietti said.
And even with Gruitza out of the race, Longietti said he's taking nothing for granted.
Nights and weekends are spent knocking on doors to meet constituents.
"I love doing that. It's a great way to meet people," he said. "They have an opportunity to put a face with a name. I really haven't slowed down."
First time
While this is Longietti's first attempt at seeking public office, he's no stranger to politics.
He served as field coordinator in Butler, Beaver and Lawrence counties for the Victory '92 Clinton/Gore campaign and deputy campaign manager for Bill Leavens' bid for Congress in 1994. He also worked on Ron Klink's failed U.S. Senate race.
Longietti attended the past three Democratic National Conventions and served as an elected member of the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee since 1994. He's held other posts in the state and local Democratic party over the years.
His love for politics started in high school with an inspiring history teacher. That led him to study economics and political science at Westminster College and then on to Boston College Law School.
Longietti considers himself fortunate to have been able to return to the Shenango Valley after law school. He started as a law clerk in the Mercer County Common Pleas Court, then was asked to join a local law firm. Longietti is a sole practitioner who intends to keep a small practice if elected.
But he knows many who had to leave the region to find work, including his older brother, Fred, who lives in North Carolina.
Goals
He'd like to use the job of state representative to turn the tide of young people leaving the area for work.
"We're not going to keep 100 percent. But we can keep a larger percentage; that will make a difference," he said.
Longietti believes that a state representative is the one elected official who could have the most impact on that problem. It's a position where there is enough time away from the work in Harrisburg to address these local issues, he explained.
Longietti said he wants to create a group to work on a plan for the next 10 years to increase employment and retain the young.
"One of the things that appeals to me is it's a small enough district you can make a difference," Longietti said.
cioffi@vindy.com