Chance to win 58th state House District excites Westmoreland Dems at endorsement meeting

A statewide race had the potential for some fireworks, but a bid to turn the 58th House District blue generated the most excitement at Sunday’s endorsement meeting of the Westmoreland County Democratic Committee.

“I’m very, very hopeful,” said Robert Prah Jr., the Democratic candidate to fill the vacant 58th District House seat. “This race is extremely winnable.”

On March 17, Prah, former mayor of Smithton, will face off against Republican candidate Eric Davanzo, 43, of South Huntingdon, and Libertarian candidate Ken Bach, 52, of Smithton, to fill the seat left vacant when incumbent Justin Walsh was elected a Common Pleas Court judge in November.

Prah, 38, of Rostraver told his fellow Democrats on Sunday that a win in the 58th will bring them “one step closer to flipping the state House. … We have a huge opportunity.”

He acknowledged the race will be close. Democrats hold a nearly 4,500-voter edge in registration in the 58th, according to the Westmoreland County Elections Bureau.

The 58th includes Adamsburg, Arona and East Huntingdon, as well as parts of Hempfield, Jeannette, Madison, Monessen, Mt. Pleasant, North Belle Vernon, Penn Borough, Rostraver, Sewickley, Smithton, South Huntingdon, Sutersville and West Newton.

“This is going to be a great opportunity for voters to take a stand and show Westmoreland County does care about Democratic values,” committee secretary Annie Briscoe told the Tribune-Review in January.

On Sunday, the county committee chose not to endorse a candidate in the six-way Democratic primary race for Pennsylvania auditor general. Three of those candidates spoke to the committee — Michael Lamb, Scott Conklin and Tracie Fountain.

“I was expecting a ‘no’ vote, and that’s what we got,” said Tara Yokopenic, interim chairwoman of the county committee.

The Pennsylvania primary is scheduled for April 28.

The committee issued endorsements in the following uncontested races:

• Todd Rowley for the 13th Congressional District;

• Bill Marx for the 14th Congressional District;

• Incumbent state Sen. Jim Brewster for the 45th Senate District;

• Tony DeLoreto for the 41st Senate District;

• Tay Waltenbaugh for the 39th Senate District;

• Incumbent state Rep. Frank Dermody for the 33rd House District;

• Incumbent state Rep. Joe Petrarca for the 55th House District; and

• Robert Prah Jr. for the 58th House District.