The 177th Legislative District could face Democratic primary and general election matchups this year.
The district includes areas of Northwood, Port Richmond, Wissinoming, Tacony and Bridesburg.
Mark LaVelle is looking to challenge state Rep. Joe Hohenstein in the May 19 Democratic primary. LaVelle was Hohenstein’s Republican opponent in 2022 and the GOP candidate for sheriff in 2023.
Meanwhile, Robyn Bird is the Republican candidate. She handles public relations and governmental affairs for Local 22, the firefighters and paramedics union.
Candidates for state representative need 300 valid signatures to get on the ballot. The deadline is 5 p.m. on March 10.
Bird kicked off her campaign at Bridesburg Pub. She was joined by, among others, state Rep. Martina White; elections commissioner Seth Bluestein; Republican City Committee chairman Vince Fenerty; Local 22 president Mike Bresnan; and ward leaders Charlie O’Connor and Debbie Clegg.
Fenerty said he wants Bird to submit at least 750 and up to 1,000 signatures to survive a possible challenge from Hohenstein.
Bird criticized Hohenstein, an immigration attorney, for what she said is his prioritizing illegal immigrants. She pointed to his appearance at an August news conference, holding a sign reading “No Secret Police,” while District Attorney Larry Krasner spoke in favor of state legislation that would prohibit law enforcement officers or ICE agents from wearing facial coverings.
“He should be ashamed of himself,” Bird said of Hohenstein.
Bird said she will prioritize public safety and low taxes.
“I will never forget who I work for – all of you,” she told a crowd of supporters.
Hohenstein first ran for the seat in 2016, losing to Republican Rep. John Taylor. Two years later, Taylor retired after 34 years, and Hohenstein won the seat.
Fenerty recalls Taylor’s 1984 election, when he beat Democratic Rep. Gerald McMonagle despite a big Democratic voter-registration advantage and the incumbent being well regarded.
“We can win it again,” he said.
As for other races, Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, and State Treasurer Stacy Garrity, a Republican, are expected to be unopposed in the primary.
Lt. Gov. Austin Davis is also expected to run unopposed. Garrity has selected Allegheny County attorney Jason Richey as her running mate. Richey could face a primary from John Ventre, of Westmoreland County.
U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-2nd dist.) will be running for re-election. The Republican candidate is Jessica Arriaga.
State Sen. Tina Tartaglione (D-2nd dist.) is seeking a ninth term. No Republican is expected to enter the race.
Democratic state Reps. Ed Neilson, Jason Dawkins and Anthony Bellmon are not expected to face primary or general election challenges.
Republican Rep. Martina White will be challenged by Democrat Rob Gurtcheff, a fraud investigator for a health insurance company.
Democratic Rep. Sean Dougherty will be challenged by Republican Wallace “Doc” Quinlan, a retired chiropractor and former aide to City Councilman Brian O’Neill.
Democratic Rep. Pat Gallagher will be opposed by Bill Griffin, a retired teacher and principal who worked at Austin Meehan, Kennedy Crossan, John Hancock and Gen. J. Harry LaBrum schools.
No Republican will be filing in the 202nd Legislative District, but Democratic Rep. Jared Solomon will face a primary challenge from Robert Rudnitsky, president of the Take Back Your Neighborhood Civic Association. Solomon is the founder of that group.
Also appearing on the May 19 ballot will be a proposed change to the Home Rule Charter that would allow city elected officials to keep their jobs while running for state or federal office. ••
