A second special election- other than the race for former State Rep. Brian Ellis’ seat- will also be held during this month’s primary. This one will be for one of the area’s three state senators.
Democrat Susan Boser and Republican Joe Pittman are running against each other to replace former State Sen. Don White in the 41st District. White resigned in February due to health reasons.
The two were asked about a number of topics- including term limits for lawmakers, shale gas drilling, how they would help local farmers and should school property tax be eliminated.
“I’m not a politician by training,”Boser, an IUP professor from Indiana County, said as she introduced herself to the audience. “So I do have skills and I understand the connection between policies and through that are laws and the conditions that people actually live in. What I’ve seen in recent years has led to my decision to step forward.”
Boser has public policy at IUP for the last nearly 20 years and before that she worked as a social worker and in drug and alcohol treatment for 20 years.
Joe Pittman- also from Indiana County- has been working for the last 18 years as former Sen. White’s chief of staff.
“I few public service as a noble profession…it’s in my blood,” Pittman said. “These communities that make up the 41st District have my heart. I understand their challenges and opportunities.”
The 41st District includes eastern Butler County, part of Westmoreland County and all of Armstrong and Indiana counties. In the last 70 years, only three people have held the seat- two served for 20 years and a third for 30.
