Grotevant is the best of candidates. He’s not well known but has the pedigree of having worked for both Bob Casey, Sr and Jr. The state Dems will have to spend for his campaign, but a few joint appearances with Sen Casey will go a long way toward helping Grotevant get elected. Regardless of whether the Dem parties in Beaver, Lawrence and Allegheny counties agree on a candidate, expect the state senate Dems to have the last word on approval.
Since state Rep. Sean Ramaley ended his state Senate bid Friday after his indictment on corruption charges, seven Democratic candidates have contacted Beaver County Democratic Committee chairman Mike “Doc” Sisk about replacing him, Sisk said Tuesday.Sisk said the candidates will be invited to interview before the county committee’s executive board next week, after which a replacement for Ramaley, D-16, Economy, will be named. The Democratic candidate will oppose Republican New Sewickley Township Supervisor Elder Vogel Jr. in November.
Democratic committees in Lawrence and Allegheny counties would also have to agree on the candidate because the 47th Senatorial District, currently represented by state Sen. Gerald LaValle, D-Rochester Township, not only covers most of Beaver County, but half of Lawrence County and Crescent Township in Allegheny.
PA Senate race
Grotevant is the R’s worst nightmare. Squeaky clean, background is perfect for the toxic political climate in Beaver County. He’s not connected to Veon like every other county pol is.
Agreed on Grotevant
I think the county Dems know that as well, but it will cost the party a pretty penny to get his name recognition up.
The Beaver County Dem party needs a lot of work. There is just little or no young blood. Just look at the candidates outside of Grotevant and Petrella…ugh.
pd
Grotevant
Bob Casey’s involvement will be significant, drawing money and in other ways….. Petrella’s primary showing was the result of a very negative campaign and some negative stories coming out about Ramaley and the newspaper rescinding his endorsement two days before the election. The party people know that.
Casey will help
I’m sure Sen Casey will be happy to help Grotevant. IMHO, Grotevant won’t need a whole lot more than the Casey stamp of approval here. Mailings to constituents with a Casey endorsement will win over voters almost by themselves. Grotevant will also benefit from making joint appearances with Obama when he starts hitting western PA.
I know the local Dem party rules are that if you challenge the endorsed candidate, you’re exiled for a couple of years. I don’t think they want Petrella anyway, but he might be the next best alternative outside Grotevant. Spanik,
I think, wants the job and he’s well known, but my sense there’s no big enthusiasm for him.
pd
Forgot to mention
Dems won’t have to worry about Jay Paisley either. He couldn’t gather the 1900-2000 signatures on a petition to get on the ballot by the recently passed deadline.
pd
State of the Race?
With Ramaley out of the picture, I would say that Dems have a fairly decent chance of holding this seat, no? Has Vogel gotten any traction at all from the Bonusgate fiasco? I suppose Beaver County Dems could do Vogel a favor and put up the worst possible replacement candidate, but something tells me that probably won’t happen. The “top of the ticket” may have some influence come November, but with Ramaley bowing out, I’d say the GOP’s chances for a pick-up went from fair to slight.
PA 47 senate race
Petrella and Vogel have no political experience.
Bob Grotevant is the best possible choice.
Grotevant
He would be a superb candidate – very likely and an exceptionally caring person – fantastic for the constituents of the 47th Senatorial District – and all of the state.
That's my sense
The impression I have is that Grotevant is the preferred candidate, the state Dems will just have to pony up a lot of money (maybe 7 figures) to introduce him to the voters in the 47th.
pd
Grotevant
He’d be worth every penny.
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