New for area voters: Contested primary

Legislative primaries over the past 30 years have more closely resembled coronations or expressions of public acclamation (or, as the cynics might say, voter resignation) than actual elections.

In the 107th and 108th legislative districts combined, there has been only one contested primary since 1980, that occurring in 2002 when Mike Robatin Jr. and Martha Milbrand battled for the Republican nomination for the state House of Representatives in the 107th and the right to challenge and lose to longtime Rep. Bob Belfanti in November. (For those with hazy memories, Robatin was the '02 Republican primary winner.)

With Belfanti and the 108th's representative, Merle Phillips, secure in their incumbency, it would have been an act of foolhardiness these past three decades for a fellow party member to mount an intraparty challenge. As it was, it was considered an act of political courage, at best, or suicidal behavior, at worst, for a member of the opposite party to challenge either in November. So, for the past 30 years, neither incumbent ever faced a primary challenge, and their popularity was deemed so overwhelming that in most election cycles, there was even an absence of general election opponents.

The upcoming retirements of Belfanti and Phillips have changed all that, altering the area's political landscape. The veteran legislators' respective announcements that they will not seek re-election this year generated a shock wave that was the equivalent of a 9.0 on a political Richter scale. Latent political ambitions were reawakened and fresh ambitions exploded as Northumberland County politicians dared to dream of a life of public service under the Capitol Dome.

In assessing the long tenures of Belfanti and Phillips, legislative aspirants may well have come to the conclusion that, as far as their political ambitions are concerned, it's now or never.

Incumbency and the opportunity it provides to gain friends and cement support can be the most powerful political force of all. Election Year 2010 could provide the closest thing to a level playing field that this year's candidates will see in their lifetimes.

When the dust cleared on the last day for filing nominating petitions, a total of 10 candidates emerged for the two districts, six in the 107th and four in the 108th. Barring candidate withdrawals from the ballot prior to the March 24 deadline, three of the four legislative nominations will be decided May 18 after voters weigh the merits of the candidates in contested primaries.

107th District

Excepting the 2002 Republican campaign, the last contested legislative primary in the 107th District occurred in 1980, which was also the last time there was not an incumbent representative on the ballot.

Republican Rep. Edward Helfrick's decision to leave the House and seek election instead to the state Senate yielded a field of three potential Republican successors - Shamokin City Councilman Kenneth Wiest, Shamokin attorney H. Robert Mattis Jr. and John Mangle. Wiest, who emerged as the nominee, had the distinction of becoming the first candidate to lose to Belfanti.

The last contested Democratic primary in the 107th District occurred in 1976 when state Rep. Joseph P. Bradley Jr. fought off a spirited challenge by Gus Veach Jr., of Kulpmont, a member of the Mount Carmel Area School Board. The Bradley-Veach race generated great area-wide interest and is still remembered as one of the area's classic knock-down, drag-out political battles.

Candidates for the 2010 Democratic nomination are:

- Steve Bartos, of Mount Carmel, Bartos is on a leave of absence from his position as alternative energy coordinator in Belfanti's office and the House Democratic Caucus while he is running for the seat.

- Myron F. Turlis, of Kulpmont, mayor of Kulpmont and owner of Turlis Sewer and Drain Cleaning.

- Ted Yeager, of Elysburg, a Realtor and former teacher in the Danville Area School District.

- George L. Zalar, a Coal Township commissioner, who has received Belfanti's endorsement.

Vying for the Republican nomination are:

- Kurt Masser, of Ralpho Township, Northumberland County commissioner and part owner of Masser's Restaurant, Masser's Farm Market and The Wayside Inn.

- Samuel J. Scicchitano, of Mount Carmel Township, who is employed by Scicchitano General Contractors, of Mount Carmel, and is a former township supervisor.

108th District

Antonio Michetti, an attorney from Jordan Township, will be the most relaxed legislative candidate between now and May 18. That's because Michetti, a Democrat, is the only candidate who does not face primary opposition. Michetti was the Democratic nominee twice before, in 2006 and 2008.

The three-way race for the Republican nomination features two prominent county officeholders and Phillips' legislative aide.

The Republican field includes:

- Samuel S. Deitrick, of Sunbury, Northumberland County jury commissioner and former three-term county commissioner.

- Chuck Erdman, of Point Township, who is serving his fourth term as Northumberland County controller.

- Lynda Schlegel-Culver, of Rockefeller Township, who has served as Phillips' aide for 21 years.

District breakdown

The 107th District is comprised of Cleveland, Conyngham and Franklin townships and Centralia Borough in Columbia County; Shamokin City, Kulpmont, Marion Heights and Mount Carmel boroughs and Coal, East Cameron, Mount Carmel, Ralpho, West Cameron and Zerbe townships in Northumberland County; and all of Montour County.

The 108th District consists of Sunbury City, Herndon, McEwensville, Milton, Northumberland, Riverside, Snydertown, Turbotville and Watsontown boroughs and Delaware, East Chillisquaque, Jackson, Jordan, Lewis, Little Mahanoy, Lower Augusta, Lower Mahanoy, Point, Rockefeller, Rush, Shamokin, Turbot, Upper Augusta, Upper Mahanoy, Washington and West Chillisquaque townships in Northumberland County; and Monroe Township and Shamokin Dam in Snyder County.

Because reapportionment of districts must take place after each U.S. Census, these district boundaries will be redrawn for the 2012 election. Depending on the reapportionment plan that is eventually approved, the changes could be either minor or significant.

(Campaign Trail will be published every Thursday through the May 18 primary election.)