We heard on the street today that former Northumberland County Commissioner Sam Deitrick will announce on Tuesday he is running for the 108th state House seat, as GOP incumbent Merle Phillips ends his 30-years of service this year.
Deitrick didn’t make it official Monday, saying he would said he would rather wait for the formal announcement, “to be fair.”
He was a real estate businessman in Sunbury from the 1970s to 1990s, then promised to be a full time commissioner when elected in 1992 and so he was for 12 years.
He’ll vie with Chuck Erdman for the Republican nomination.
“I think there’ll be others,” he said Monday.
No Democratic contenders as yet.
Tom Marino on the stump
Former U.S. Attorney Tom Marino has been on a county by county tour since announcing his bid for the10th Congressional District seat by stopping at various places and speaking about his plans if elected, however some people are still up in the air as to where he stands.
Marino spoke to town's people about different areas of change in Washington that he feels needs to be made.
"There are areas we have to just attack immediately and bring this under control," he said
"We have to downsize the spending in Washington."
"Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chairman T.J. Rooney was skeptical of Marino and his political agenda.
"The last time Tom Marino was in public service, he cut and ran," he said.
"When the going got tough, Marino abandoned his responsibility to the region while the ‘kids for cash’ scandal was taking place right under his nose."
Marino resigned as US Attorney in 2007 under a cloud of controversy once it was discovered that he served as a reference on the gaming application of businessman Louis DeNaples.
DeNaples, who was long under investigation for allegedly making campaign contributions in attempt to get a gaming license, later was also the subject of a grand jury probe into his ties to organized crime. Just weeks after resigning from the U.S. Attorney’s office, Marino worked for DeNaples as his personal attorney.
Who else wants Belfanti’s seat?
With two men publicly announcing their candidacy for the 107th legislative district, many are wondering who else might be considering running for the seat.
One local official denied any plans to seek the position.
“No, absolutely not,” said Vinny Clausi, a commissioner in Northumberland County.
Referring to himself as a businessman, he said going to Harrisburg wouldn’t do much good.
“I think whoever comes to be a legislator or senator, you have to do what they want you to do to get anything done,” he said Monday. “I would not be part of that corruption.”
With no intentions of being a politician, Clausi called himself a businessman and said he made a commitment to Northumberland County and will continue to do everything he can to take care of the county.
“Two years ago I said I’d do everything I can do to clean up the county and finish the job,” he said Monday. “It might take another two years or four years but I’ll finish. When that’s done we’ll see what happens.”
Currently vying for the seat includes Republican Kurt Masser, 44, a second-term Northumberland County commissioner, and Democrat George Zalar, 40, a Coal Township commissioner for 10 years,
The 107th state House district includes all of Montour County, a portion of Columbia County and the following municpalities in Northumberland County: the city of Shamokin, the boroughs of Kulpmont, Marion Heights and Mount Carmel and the townships of Coal, East Cameron, Mount Carmel, Ralpho, West Cameron and Zerbe.
Diamond to attend Republican State Committee meeting
Following stops in Philadelphia and Altoona this week, Russ Diamond, a Republican candidate for Lt. Governor is scheduled for two appearances in Harrisburg.
He will attend the Republican State Committee’s Lincoln dinner at 6 p.m. Friday at the Hilton Towers in Harrisburg and spend Saturday at the Republican State Committee winter meeting at the same hotel.
Election Calendar
Feb. 16: First day to circulate and file nomination petitions
March 9: Last day to circulate and file nomination petitions
April 19: Last day to register to vote before the Primary Election
May 18: Primary Election
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