Earlier this week, Ramaley indicated in a brief conversation that he still wants to run, said Joe Spanik, the Beaver County commissioner who had dropped out of the 47th district race after losing key labor and party endorsements to Ramaley.

Privately, numerous party officials are likely to voice an opinion on Ramaley’s candidacy, because the heavily Democratic district covers big portions of Beaver and Lawrence counties, and a township in Allegheny County

Democratic party officials, at least publicly, are choosing their words carefully.

Montgomery County Sen. Connie Williams, who chairs the Senate Democratic Campaign Committee, would not say whether Ramaley should stay in the race.

“We will be having some serious conversations pretty soon,” said Williams, who noted Ramaley has a lot “on his plate.”

Even though there may be pressure on him to step aside, Burn said the decision ultimately is up to Ramaley.

If he continues, he can expect his Republican opponent, farmer Elder A. Vogel Jr., to wage a campaign based around character and integrity.

Voters, Vogel said, are tired of hearing about corruption — another Beaver County legislator, Frank LaGrotta, pleaded guilty in February in a separate corruption case.

“People are sick and tired of it,” Vogel said. “They want change, someone who’s honest and will do a good job and not steal their money.”