Popular State Rep. Rich Grucela has decided, after ten years, that he's had enough of the land of midnight payraises. "It’s hard to pass a bill in Harrisburg. Quite honestly, it’s an insiders' game, and I was never one to play that," Grucela has said. Serving in the minority party for eight years certainly made things more difficult, and it must be disappointing when proposals for both a constitutional convention and unicameral legislature, are ignored. Grucela has co-sponsored legislation that passed.
Grucela's 137th legislative district includes Forks, Lower Mount Bethel, Palmer, Upper Mount Bethel, Upper Nazareth, Washington, Bangor, East Bangor, Nazareth, Portland, Roseto, Stockertown and Tatamy. Unlike most seats, which tilt Republican or Democrat, this one is fairly even.
When I first wrote about this last week, I told you that Democrats Charles Dertinger and Joe Capozzolo, as well as Republicans Joe Emrick and Donald Albanese, are mulling a run. Dertinger and Emrick are definites, and Dertinger this week is making his case to state leaders in Harrisburg.
I suspect Upper Nazareth Township Supervisor Joe Emrick would handily defeat Dertinger, who has only won once in five elections. Many local politicos must feel that way, too, because they are cajoling and begging Attorney and former state Rep. Joe Corpora to enter the fray.
In the meantime, Republican Ron Angle is now toying with the idea of making a run for the seat himself. His "take no prisoner" approach might be exactly what is needed in our hopeless state legislature. He has a way of taking on the powerful, and would certainly cast a glaring spotlight on its myriad of problems.
But having finally been elected Northampton County Council President after being ignored for ten years, Angle is in a bit of a conundrum, and is wondering where he could do the most good.
To me, this is a no brainer. He should run. I'd have material for years.
H-burg would neuter,spay and declaw Ron. They would laugh in his face and that's just the start. His impact is local only and he should reign in his blind ambition tendencies in this regard.
ReplyDeleteAnother Dertinger/Angle Race. If Corbit looses the governor's race at least we know that race alone and all the robo-calls and mail will keep him busy for the remainder of his term!
ReplyDeleteBernie, if it was anyone other than Angle, you would tar and feather them for being a political opportunist. Don't say you wouldn't because you most certainly would.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I don't know that Angle is running. He is deciding what he thinks is best. Second, I would tar any recently elected official who decides to run for something else, especially if he is full-time. That's political opportunism. I would also rip someone for running for two incompatible offices simultaneously, like judge and magistate, or state rep and state auditor or treasuer.
ReplyDeleteIn Angle's case, he has been on Council for ten years. He obviously is not using his position there as a springboard for something else. So I don't see the opportunism I see in some others.
Last week, I posted a link to an article about a "resign to run" law. Even in the few states that have one, it does not apply to part-time elected officials.
The main question is whether Angle wants this. I've encouraged him to run bc I think he'd make a difference, but that's his call.
I don’t think Ron Angle’s ego will let him go from being a big fish in a little pond to being a very little fish in a big pond!
ReplyDeleteHoe 'bout if that fish is a piranha?
ReplyDeletePCN would become the most watched TV show.
ReplyDeleteDo us all a favor and send him anywhere but here!!!!
ReplyDeleteBernie your blog's name should be changed to "Ron's Ramblings." Every article seems to be about him.
ReplyDeleteZZZZZZzzzzzzz
ReplyDeleteAnon 6:55, Then don't read it.
ReplyDelete