Scott Janney Seeking GOP Nod for LV's State Senate Seat Held By Boscola

I've already told you that State Senator Lisa Boscola is seeking re-election in Pa.'s 18th Senatorial District, which includes parts of Northampton and Lehigh Counties. On Friday, I speculated that Taiba Sultana, a former Easton City Council member would primary her. At the time, to told you that no GOP candidate had announced, but I was wrong. Scott Janney announced his candidacy on WAEB-AM 790 on November 7, the day after a blue wave swept a large number of Democrats into municipal office. He also followed up with an announcement later that evening at the local tea party.

I had spoken to Janney prior to November's election, and he told me he planned to announce his candidacy. I never received anything and thus concluded he was having second thoughts. I saw nothing in any of the local news sources, either. 

When he appeared on WAEB on November 7, radio host Bobby Gunther Walsh drilled home a point that, when John Merhottein ran for Boscola's seat four years ago, nobody knew him. He failed to make himself known by appearing on programs like his or using news sources or social media to get his message out there. 

I disagree with that assessment. Merhottein did make the rounds and did use social media but had no money to spend against a very popular and formidable foe. Well, I think Janney has made a bigger mistake. Other than a right-wing radio show and tea party, I've seen nothing from more mainstream outlets like local new organizations or blogs. 

Boscola's State Senate district includes a lot of voters who would rather die before listening to WAEB or going to a tea party meeting. It also includes more centrist voters who are looking for a change from Boscola. But how can they be persuaded to vote for him if they don't even know he's in the hunt?   

According to his webpage, Janney raises money for a 12-state region of the Salvation Army, perhaps one of the best and altruistic charities in existence. He touts a great deal of success as a fundraiser and told radio host Walsh that he would use those skills to raise money in his own race. But Janney was also involved in the local county races and even spoke at several county council meetings. The fundraising of those candidates was anemic, to put it mildly. It's one thing to raise money for a worthwhile charity, but quite another to raise money for a party that supports the invasion of Greenland, Venezuela, Canada, Iran, Mexico and Cuba while refusing to do a damn thing to help millions of people who need help paying for healthcare. 

Janney outlines his positions here. I suspect he's going to have problems. I don't like Boscola myself, but I dislike his stances on issues more.