This is good news for State Rep. Adam Ravenstahl who now has two opponents instead of one. Even though it appears that Rep. Ravenstahl already had the upper hand in this race. Ravenstahl won in 2010 by 15% and is facing Mark Purcell (who ran against Ravenstahl in 2010) and Dave Schuilenburg. I don't see any mis-steps that Ravenstahl has made as a Democratic State House member. He has voted the way I want Democratic/progressive elected officials to vote.
I hate petition challenges that just seem frivolous. I understand that we don't want 10 people on the ballot, but going after technicalities of seroius candidates is just un-democratic in my opinion.
Press Release from the Schuilenburg campaign:
PRESS RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
GRASSROOTS HOUSE CANDIDATE OVERCOMES VOTER SUPPRESSION CHALLENGE
Summer Hill, Pittsburgh - After comprehensive review by the Commonwealth
Court, local grassroots & community organizer, Dave Schuilenburg,
currently a candidate for PA's 20th House District, easily survived an
unsuccessful ballot challenge to his candidacy.
The challenge was formally filed by Bobby Wilson, a known supporter of
Mark Purcell of Ross Township, another challenger for the seat. Purcell, a
perennial candidate who has lost bids for the same post 4 times in the
past, a bid for congress in 2002, & a bid for County Council in 2005, has
been known for challenging petitions.
"While I respect Mr Wilson & Mr Purcell's legal right to do so, what the
residents of our district so desperately need right now are candidates
ready to run on the issues most directly affecting them, and not petition
challenges & potential redistricted maps. Worse, though, is the method in
which they did so, appearing on elderly voters steps as late as 10pm to
interrogate & serve them with subpoenas, voter intimidation tactics which
are clear signs of a desperate campaign."
Schuilenburg, a 9-1-1 Officer & a respected community leader on the North
Side, reaffirms the reason for his candidacy as proof of why his petition
was challenged. "As I did when I ran for Pittsburgh City Council on the
issues in 2007, & subsequently amassed 25-30% of the vote, I accepted
calls to run again this year on the issues as Mr Purcell refuses to do so,
and would rather run a republican style negativity campaign. As such, he
perceives my candidacy as an obstacle to his quest for power."
"If Mr Purcell truly believes he is the best candidate to address the
needs of voters in our district," adds Schuilenburg, "then I formally
challenge him to a debate! Let's hash it out, on the issues. It is time
that the voters of the 20th District had real choices at the ballot box,
and not just the same unproven and unelectable candidates that they have
seen in years past."
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