NEW CASTLE —
The first task Lawrence County voters face in determing their choice for Congress is understanding who their candidates are.
Unfortunately, the latest round of congressional redistricting has split the county into two territories. Depending on where you live, you vote in either the 3rd or 12th Congressional District.
Most county residents are in the 3rd District. But the southern part of the county — the boroughs of Ellwood City, Wampum, Ellport and Enon Valley, as well as Perry, Wayne, New Beaver and Little Beaver townships — is in the 12th District.
For the 3rd District, Tuesday’s contest pits incumbent Butler County Republican Mike Kelly against Mercer County Democrat Missa Eaton.
In the freshman Kelly, voters will find a conservative Republican who views a major task of government to be one of assisting business to grow. He is a vocal critic of regulations and taxation policies that he believes do precisely the opposite.
In many areas, we believe Kelly makes valid points. Regulations and the bureaucracies that establish them often seem to take on lives of their own. The rules become the purpose, rather than tools for achieving a broader purpose.
Kelly has an obvious zeal for the subject, and that’s mainly why we are endorsing him. We want to see if he can make a difference.
This is no disparagement of his opponent, Eaton, who presents herself as well spoken, informed and reasonable on a wide variety of economic and other issues of concern to Lawrence County. But in this race, we are recommending the incumbent.
However, our editorial board interview with Kelly revealed a politician far more interested in talking than listening, someone who believes he has all the answers. He doesn’t; no one does.
Politics at the Washington level is a complicated matter, one where competing interests must find constructive ways to resolve their differences. It’s been that way since the nation’s founding. To be effective in Washington, Kelly must understand that.
His Republican counterpart in the 12th District, Keith Rothfus, seems to grasp this point well. In his interview with the New Castle News editorial board, Rothfus stressed the need for negotiation in order to resolve the financial stalemates in Washington.
Rothfus, a resident of Allegheny County, squares off against Cambria County Democrat Mark Critz, who is effectively the incumbent in this newly crafted district — a gerrymandered mess that stretches from the Ohio line to Johnstown.
Critz is a moderate to conservative Democrat, who overcame a perceived political disadvantage in the new district to defeat Congressman Jason Altmire in the primary. In doing so, he demonstrated he’s a formidable candidate who relates well with voters.
Our concern with Critz is mainly one of geography and the crazy shape of this district. His political base, and presumed interest, will lean toward the east, although no candidate will say that.
Rothfus is more centrally based in the district. We view this as an advantage for Lawrence County.
And while Rothfus is conservative, we were impressed with his expressed willingness to work across party lines for solutions. If he wins, Rothfus will need to move quickly in that regard to deal with pending budget issues.
So we are recommending two Republicans for Congress, Mike Kelly and Keith Rothfus, as the better choices Tuesday.
Editorials
Our Opinion: With county split, voters have their work cut out for them
- Editorials
-
-
Our Opinion: Privatization of county jail is worthy of examination
Generally speaking, we support government efforts to seek more efficient ways to provide essential services. So we have no problem with the decision by the Lawrence County commissioners to solicit proposals for the private operation of the county jail.
-
Our Opinion: We endorse candidates for New Castle board
The New Castle school district is often a study in contrasts. There are complaints about the district on everything from taxes to nepotism, from test scores to ethical slights. Yet at the same time, plenty of students within the district excel. It’s a tribute to the hard work of those students, their families and the educators who support them.
-
Our Opinion: You should be frightened, outraged by IRS abuse of power
When people talk about government posing a threat to citizens, a common topic these days is unmanned drones. But a more credible threat may be the Internal Revenue Service. This agency, responsible for collecting taxes and enforcing related rules, has the ability to make life miserable for the average individual.
-
Our Opinion: Our endorsements for City Council race
The city of New Castle needs help. Financially distressed and operating under Pennsylvania’s Act 47, New Castle must find ways to reverse its population loss and fiscal challenges.
-
Our Opinion: Court frowns on gerrymandering, but only slightly
Pennsylvania legislators have received the green light to put their own political interests ahead of yours. That’s a key point in the latest Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling on legislative apportionment in the commonwealth.
-
Our Opinion: Study says distracted driving deaths are under reported
Suppose you operated a piece of heavy machinery at your job. And suppose it’s machinery that moves quickly with little effort. What would happen if you decided to take one hand off that equipment — while it was still in motion — and instead focused your attention on a telephone call?
-
Our Opinion: Senate seeks to give states more taxing power
Congress is taking a stab at tax fairness. At least, where states are concerned. If you’re looking for meaningful reform of the federal tax code, that’s going to have to wait.
-
Our Opinion: Look at handling of bombing suspects is warranted
We welcome an investigation into the handling of intelligence related to suspects in the Boston Marathon bombing. That probe may reveal little of value.
-
Our Opinion: Right to know reveals intermediate unit problem
At this point, we have few details regarding the resignation of the director of this region’s intermediate unit. Apparently, there was a problem with purchases Cecelia H. Yauger made with a government credit card through the state agency that provides support services to area school districts.
-
Our Opinion: New wave of ethics initiatives arrives in Harrisburg
There may be hope yet for Harrisburg. Recent signs suggest that even lawmakers are grasping that the ethics situation in the state capital is taking its toll. Maybe they are hearing from constituents who are fed up with the commonwealth’s seemingly endless string of scandals.
- More Editorials Headlines
-
