Republican Janet Anderson, of Fairview, is making plans to join the race for state Senate in the 49th District, which takes in most of Erie County.
Anderson said that her effort to get more than 500 signatures on petitions begins today. She plans to get at least 750 signatures and as many as 1,000, to be on the safe side, in the event of challenges.
She is holding off on making an official announcement until she gets the signatures.
The race is wide open after state Sen. Jane Earll, of Fairview, R-49th Dist., announced she would not seek re-election to a fifth term.
“If I enter the race, I’m in it to win it,” said Anderson, who formerly worked in Earll’s office and just resigned as executive director of the Northwest Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission.
Another possible GOP candidate, lawyer Jason Owen, said he has not decided yet whether to enter the race.
Four Democrats have announced their plans to run, including former state Sen. Anthony “Buzz” Andrezeski, a lawyer. The others are: Terry Scutella, a Millcreek School Board member; Sean Wiley, director of foundation at Saint Vincent Health System; and Brian Pitzer, former director of public relations at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania.
Wiley has the support of the Senate Democratic Campaign Committee.
– John Guerriero
While four Democrats have announced their plans to run for state Senate in the 49th District, which includes