22 PA. Legislators Not Running for Re-Election (Phil Inquirer)

[JPZenger]

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/home_top_stories/20080121_Fed-up_politicos__flying_the_coop.html

excerpts:

"Bennington is among 24** incumbents in the General Assembly who have decided to give up their seats, a number of them, newcomers and veterans alike, echoing her frustration over the failure to pass important legislation in what was supposed to be a new era of reform. "We can't get 102 votes on health-care packages because we don't have campaign finance reform," said Shapiro, who cochaired the reform commission with Steil. "We still have special interests controlling the debate instead of lawmakers addressing the needs of their constituents."

(** 2 of these are running for the State Senate, meaning 22 are not running.)

Though few expect Republicans, who dominate the Senate 29-21, to lose control of that chamber, Democrats cling to a 102-101 edge in the House. The roster of retirees, however, appears to favor Democrats. Of the 19 representatives who have decided to leave the House, 12 are Republicans. Several of them represent districts where the majority of voters are Democrats or where recent voting patterns favor that party. "We have safe Democratic seats in the southwest that we will have no problem defending, and in the southeast a preponderance of Republicans are retiring in an area that is transitioning from red to blue," said Rep. Dan Frankel ..."

Giving Up Their Seats:
Representatives

George Kenney (R., Phila.)
David Steil (R., Bucks)
Arthur Hershey (R., Chester)
Carole Rubley (R., Chester)
Ron Raymond (R., Delaware)
Daylin Leach* (D., Montgomery)
Tom Tangretti (D., Westmoreland)
Jerry Nailor (R.,Cumberland)
Steven Nickol (R., York)
Thoms Yewcic (D., Cambria)
Edward Wojnaroski (D., Cambria)
Bob Bastian (R., Somerset)
Lisa Bennington (D., Allegheny)
Carl Mantz (R., Lehigh)
Fred McIlhattan (R., Clarion)
Steven Cappelli* (R., Lycoming)
Sean Ramaley* (D., Beaver)
Thomas Petrone(D., Allegheny)
Jess Stairs (R., Fayette)

* - running for state Senate

Senators

Connie Williams (D., Montgomery)
Roger Madigan (R., Lycoming)
Gib Armstrong (R., Lancaster)
Gerald LaValle (D., Beaver)
Terry Punt (R., Franklin)"

[dropkickpa]

1. Bennington pisses me off

I wasn't thrilled about her winning, and she's done nothing since that thrills me. She just seems to have been really ineffectual. At least Frank Pistella got stuff done. Two years and she turn tail and leaves. 2 years ain't enough time to wipe your ass in the state legislature but she's quitting?