Attacks, exaggerations in four-way race for open state Senate seat

(Harrisburg) — When longtime Republican state Senator Pat Vance announced her retirement, many anticipated a competitive campaign to replace her.

They got their wish.

The campaign has featured TV attack ads more often seen in a federal race.

Representative Mike Regan’s campaign has paid for plenty of them the past couple of weeks.

One – which is misleading – reaches when it tries to tie one of his opponents – Jon Ritchie – to Governor Tom Wolf.

In a debate during WITF’s Smart Talk, Regan took a different tone at times.

“My servant’s heart, number one. I have devoted my whole entire adult life to serving the community. This isn’t a new thing for me, this is something that I made a decision 30 years ago that I wanted to be of service to my community.”

Regan has faced an attack ad too.

Jon Ritchie, a former NFL player, has a deceiving TV ad attacking Regan’s record.

Ritchie says he’s a better choice because he would have resolved the budget crisis.

“If it were truly for the people, they would’ve locked themselves in last June 30th, and said we can’t leave until we hammer this out, no matter how obstinate this governor is.”

Ritchie also says his inexperience in politics is actually a strength.

“I bring a fresh insight, a new perspective that is needed in our government. I have a new outlook and I want to hold our legislators accountable.”

But Regan says Ritchie has it backwards.

“The day that I’m elected as senator, I will serve as the senator. There’s not going to be any trying to figure out what’s going on, who’s who and what’s what. I think that distinct advantage of knowing that already from being there,” he adds.

There are two other candidates in the race to represent parts of Cumberland and York counties as well.

Brice Arndt says he can use his background as a dentist to deal with the most pressing health issues for the commonwealth.

“I truly believe that we do not want lobbyists to be dictating Pennsylvania health care policy for us.”

And Scott Harper, a lawyer, says he wants to cut government spending.

The first thing he named? 

The state group that investigates discrimination claims.

“The Human Relations Commission, I’d just cut that right out. Because it’s not needed, it really isn’t. If you want to sue somebody for discrimination, sue them. You don’t need to file a complaint with the state and have them litigate your case for ya.”

Harper says he dealt with the Commission on an anti-discrimination case, and they tried to throw the book at him.

“It’s completely ridiculous, it’s completely lopsided and it’s anti-business.” 

Meanwhile, there’s little difference among the candidates over the big Republican issues – overhauling the state pension system, changing control of the state liquor stores, and dealing with rising property taxes.

The Republican primary is next Tuesday and no Democrats are on the ballot.