Crowded field in chase for 71st House seat

BY MIKE FAHER
The Tribune-Democrat

April 18, 2008 08:46 am

— In the state House 71st district, Democratic voters outnumber Republicans by more than 9,000.
So it is no surprise that six Democrats dominate the field of candidates seeking the seat now held by retiring state Rep. Ed Wojnaroski, also a Democrat.
The candidates come from diverse backgrounds, but many of their public statements have centered on a single issue: Improving the economy of a House district that is anchored by Johnstown, which has been financially distressed for more than 15 years.
- Bryan Barbin, 50, lives in Westmont. He is a partner in the downtown Johnstown law firm of Gleason, McQuillan, Barbin and Markovitz.
Barbin previously founded and managed a law firm in Harrisburg. He also worked for more than six years in the state Attorney General’s Office and was a clerk for the state Supreme Court’s chief justice.
- Benny Britt, 49, is a former Johnstown councilman who lives in the city’s Kernville neighborhood.
Britt also served on the Greater Johnstown Water Authority – the first black member of that board.
- Tom Chernisky, 43, of Geistown, is a financial-services representative who also is a part-time Cambria County jury commissioner.
Chernisky said he has been active in Democratic politics for more than two decades.
- Denny Conahan, 58, is a Ferndale resident who is president of the United Steelworkers Local 2635.
He is a former coal miner and steelworker. In his capacity as a union leader, Conahan said he has lobbied lawmakers in Harrisburg and Washington, D.C.
- Jerry “J.J.” Livingston, 24, of Ferndale, is the youngest candidate for the 71st district.
He has served internships in Harrisburg with the House Democratic Legislative Research Office and the House Democratic Southeast Delegation. At Penn State, Livingston was president of a student-government council that represented more than 40,000 students.
- William Stasko, 48, is a Westmont resident and has been a certified public accountant since 1986.
He served on Westmont Borough Council in the 1990s and formerly worked as controller for Glosser Bros. Inc.
While Democratic voters have the most choices, Republicans also will see two names for the 71st district on Tuesday’s ballot.
But only one of those candidates – Steve Ettien – is actively seeking the GOP nomination.
Jim Rigby of Ferndale said last month that he was dropping out of the race for personal reasons. However, he has not taken action to remove his name from the ballot.
Ettien, 46, is a small-business owner and lives in Richland Township. He is a former Marine whose career includes 22 years in the military.
Ettien said Rigby’s exit from the race has not changed his campaign – especially with six Democrats on the primary ballot.
“I never looked at it as, I don’t have an opponent,” he said. “I actually look at it as, I have six potential opponents.”
The 71st district is situated in southern Cambria County.
It consists of the City of Johnstown; the townships of Conemaugh, Richland and Stonycreek; and the boroughs of Brownstown, Daisytown, Dale, East Conemaugh, Ferndale, Franklin, Geistown, Lorain, Southmont and Westmont.