PA-18: Nomination Caucus Soon

Gov. Tom Wolf (D) recently scheduled the special election to replace Pittsburgh area resigned US Rep. Tim Murphy (R) for March 13, 2018.  The political parties will choose their nominee in special convention, and the first such vote will follow the November 7th local and judicial elections on Saturday, November 11th.  Republicans will choose among several state legislators who have declared themselves as candidates: state Sens. Guy Reschenthaler (R-Bethel Park) and Kim Ward (R-Greensburg), and state Reps. Rick Saccone (R-Jefferson Hills) and Jason Ortitay (R-Bridgeville). 
 
On November 19th, Democrats will meet in their special district convention.  Announced candidates include: Westmoreland County Commissioner Gina Cerilli, former state teacher’s union president Mike Crossey, attorney Connor Lamb, physician Robert Solomon, and consultant Pam Iovino.  Republicans are favored to hold the southwestern Pennsylvania seat that supported President Trump 58-38%, and Mitt Romney, 58-41%.

--Jim Ellis