PA-SD37: Special Election Looms In 37th District, Attracting Bipartisan Interest
The Democratic field may prove more crowded. One potential candidate is Olivia Benson. Benson is the community engagement director at the Women and Girls Foundation. (Arnet, the Democrats' 2015 hopeful, is the organization’s CEO.) Benson would not confirm a run, though she said of the special election, “It’s a great opportunity. Democrats have shown they can win and be competitive across the board.”
Other names will be more familiar to district voters. Mike Crossey, a retired teacher and former Allegheny County councilor, acknowledged he was considering a run.
“I think Democrats are energized,” he said.
Pam Iovino, a retired Navy fficer with federal experience in veterans issues, also confirmed her interest. Barring any kind of surprise, she said, “My name will be in the mix of candidates.”
Iovino and Crossey were both pursuing another special election campaign this time a year ago. Each sought to be the Democratic nominee to replace Congressman Tim Murphy, who retired amid scandal last fall. But they lost their bid to Conor Lamb, who went on to win the special election and become a rising star in the national Democratic Party.
Mark Scappe, who sits on the board of the Moon Area School District, also said he was interested.
“I’m reaching out to a lot of people, trying to get the lay of the land,” said Scappe, who in 2012 ran for the state House seat held by Mustio. In a race where Benson, Iovino and Crossey all hail from Mt. Lebanon, Scappe would stand out as an airport-area hopeful.
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