Three Pa. lawmakers hope indictments don’t hurt their campaigns

Three Pennsylvania state lawmakers seeking re-election are currently under indictment.
In Northeast Philadelphia, Republican State Representative John Perzel has no primary challenger. But four Democrats are seeking their party’s nomination to challenge the former House Speaker in November.

Three Pennsylvania state lawmakers seeking re-election are currently under indictment.

In Northeast Philadelphia, Republican State Representative John Perzel (Pictured with McGruff) has no primary challenger. But four Democrats are seeking their party’s nomination to challenge the former House Speaker in November.

Perzel has been charged with using taxpayer money to help his party win elections.

Another Republican, State Senator Jane Orie, in western Pennsylvania is facing a challenge from Dan DeMarco, who is running as a write-in candidate. Orie and one of her sisters, are accused of using senate staffers to campaign for a third sister, Jane Orie Melvin. Melvin successfully won a seat on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

And, Democrat Bill DeWeese, a former House Speaker, in Southwest Pennsylvania faces two primary election challengers. He is also charged with using taxpayer funds for political purposes.