LEWISBURG -- With Pennsylvania's spring primary election coming earlier than usual, the Union County Democratic Committee is gearing up with a nominating petition-signing event set for 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at Parkview Catering, South Sixth and Market streets.
Petitions will include those for president; Sen. Robert Casey's seat; and Pennsylvania treasurer, auditor general and attorney general, said committee Chairman Rick Thomas.
The event gives registered Democrats in Union County a chance to review and sign nominating petitions, which all federal and state candidates need to have their names placed on the ballots for the spring primary.
This year, the primary will be held April 24 instead of in May.
Thomas said the committee also will circulate petitions for anyone from Union County interested in campaigning for the 10th Congressional District seat held by Republican Rep. Tom Marino and the 85th Legislative District seat held by Republican state Rep. Fred Keller.
"We haven't heard if Carney is going to run again," Thomas said of former Democratic Rep. Chris Carney, who lost his seat in Congress to Marino in 2010. It's been widely reported that Carney planned to challenge Marino in the next election, but Thomas said there's been no news of late.
"If no one decides to declare at this point, it's possible we won't have a challenger on the ballot for either seat," Thomas said, though some could campaign as write-in candidates.
Thomas also noted a possible Democratic candidate out of Lycoming County for the 10th district.
Registered Democrats living in Union County can sign the petitions. Committee members will be available to answer questions. For information, visit www.unioncountydemocrats.org.
People who want to run in the primary need to file petitions no later than Feb. 14. Nominating petitions come from the Department of State.
The Union County Republican Committee has been collecting petition signatures and will do so until Feb. 4, county Chairwoman Yvonne Morgan said. Members will then meet and go over them.
