Why you should pay attention to Barry Stout's seat

State Senator Barry Stout in the 46th District has announced that he will not seek reelection.  His distric includes:

Allegheny County
Townships:
Forward
Boroughs: Elizabeth, McDonald (Allegheny County Portion) and West Elizabeth

Beaver CountyTownships: Greene, Hanover, Independence and Raccoon
Boroughs: Frankfort Springs and Hookstown

Greene County Cities: All
Townships: All
Boroughs: All

Washington County Cities: Monongahela and Washington
Townships: Amwell, Blaine, Buffalo, Canton, Carroll, Cecil, Chartiers, Cross Creek, Donegal, East Bethlehem, East Finley, Fallowfield, Hanover, Hopewell, Independence, Jefferson, Morris, Mount Pleasant, North Bethlehem, North Franklin, North Strabane, Nottingham, Robinson, Smith, Somerset, South Franklin, South Strabane, Union, West Bethlehem, West Finley and West Pike Run
Boroughs: Beallsville, Bentleyville, Burgettstown, Canonsburg, Centerville, Claysville, Cokeburg, Deemston, Donora, East Washington, Ellsworth, Finleyville, Green Hills, Houston, Long Branch, Marianna, McDonald, Midway, New Eagle, North Charleroi, Twilight, West Alexander, West Brownsville and West Middletown

Why should this register?  After all, his district barely abuts Allegheny County. 

Exactly!

In 2008, Barry Stout – Democrat voted for the “Marriage Protection” amendment to be voted out of committee.

As I said in 2008, “Yikes!”

Here's an election we should watch.  The Senate may vote on the marriage amendment again as well as hate crimes legislation.  There's always the potential for anti-discrimination legislation to reach the Senate.  Someday.

State Rep Tim Solobay has thrown his hat into the ring.  Solobay was one of the few Democratic House members who voted NO on the marriage amendment in 2006.  He has a Facebook page (you know how that pleases me).  He identifies as a “moderate blue dog democrat.” So that's an interesting mix. 

According to the Post-Gazette, two Washington County commissioners, J. Bracken Burns and Larry Maggi, also may seek the Democratic nomination in the May 18 primary.  I don't know much about Burns or Maggi.  Anyone?

Word is still out and then there's the question of who replaces Solobay.  These rural SW Pennsylvania districts are really important to our community and I urge you to identify folks you know in Stout's district and ask them to pay attention.  I'm fairly certain the Steel City Stonewall Democrats will be sending a questionnaire to Solobay, Burns and Maggi since part of the district is Allegheny County.  Keep your eye out for it.

sdf

 

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