Political news and notes: 2014 legislative races kicking off

Final write-in results show poor turnout, participation in 2013 By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times The political news cycle never seems to end these days, on the heels of the final write-in election results being posted Friday, we have a batch of new candidate announcements or pending announcements in 2014 state legislative races — and even, it seems — an early hint about a 2016 race. First to the...

Ross announces plans to retire after 2014

Nine-term State Rep. won’t seek reelection; Walker eyed as GOP candidate State Rep. Chris Ross (R-158) announced Tuesday that he wouldn’t seek a 10th term in the statehouse. By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times EAST MARLBOROUGH — State Rep. Chris Ross (R-158) announced Tuesday that he would not seek a 10th term in the state House of Representatives. Ross, currently a township resident, has...

Supreme Court upholds redistricting plan

New state house, state Senate districts for many — new district, the 74th in Coatesville area The new State House districts for Chester County, including the new 74th District, centered around Coatesville. By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times The Pennsylvania State Supreme Court has upheld a new legislative redistricting plan, Wednesday, meaning the proposed district changes — including many in Chester...

GOP turns back Democratic tide locally

Republicans hold all nine Chester County state house seats, Romney wins narrow victory Among Tuesday’s legislative winners in Chester County, from top left: State Sen. Andrew Dinniman (D-19), State Sen. Dominic Pieleggi (R-9), from middle left: State Rep. Tim Hennessey (R-26), State Rep. John Lawrence (R-13), State Rep. Steve Barrar (R-160), from left left, State Rep.-Elect Becky Corbin (R-155)...

Column: My take on the area legislative races

Is competency more important that ideology? I think so. By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times We had some internal discussions about doing our first endorsements as a publication this year, something I decided was probably not the right thing to do in 2010 or 2011. And while we were split — at the end we still decided that the negatives outweighed the positives. It is a position we will revisit in 2013,...

Letter: Rzucidlo alerts voters in the 158th of voting issues

To The Editor: As an advocate, I have worked for many years to assist  families and individuals in the region navigate the complicated Education, Human Services, and Veteran services programs in Pennsylvania. I  help people find services they need and teach them how to they can in turn help others as well. I am also a candidate running for a seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the...

Letter: Who is Chris Ross working for?

To The Editor: Even after many phone calls and e-mails this week from the people in his district telling him that they did not want this Pay Day Loan Bill to go through, Chris Ross continued to champion a bill (HB 2191) that is really no more than a way to legalize loan sharks in Pennsylvania.  Who is Chris working for? No fewer than 50 organizations have gone on record as opposing this bill including...

Rzucidlo doesn’t take ‘no’ for an answer

State Rep. candidate has spent more than two decades fighting the system By Mike McGann, Editor, UnionvilleTimes.com Susan Rzucidlo, Democratic candidate for State Representative in the 158th District. NEW GARDEN — Susan Rzucidlo says she knows she can rub some people the wrong way, especially if they get between her and something she’s fighting for, whether it be for her own disabled child, or...