Jason Petrella for Senate
Pennsylvania's 47th District
Press Releases
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Petrella Accepts Union Endorsements, Speaks on Governmental Reform
MONACA- 47th District Democratic State Senate candidate Jason Petrella today accepted union endorsements from the statewide organizations of the AFL-CIO, PSEA, and SEIU, along with Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 47 and Teamsters Joint Council No. 40. He did so at a press conference across from the Beaver County Courthouse, at which he also spoke about his plans for governmental reform.
Petrella showed his appreciation for the support of hardworking families across the state.
"I am honored to accept the endorsements of these five unions," Petrella said. "These organizations understand that I will fight for hardworking Pennsylvanian families as the next State Senator from the 47th District. Job creation and economic development are pivotal issues in our area, and they will be a top priority of mine in the legislature. Also, I will ensure that a worker’s right to organize, receive a fair day’s wage for a fair day’s work, and receive health benefits are not infringed upon."
Pennsylvania AFL-CIO President Bill George praised Petrella’s understanding of the issues that affect working families.
"Jason Petrella shares our commitment to improving the quality of life of working families," George said in a statement. "He understands the challenges we face in struggling to cope with stagnant wages and rising costs for health care, food, and gas. Jason will fight for well-paying jobs, affordable health care for all, and investments in alternative energy that will make Pennsylvania a leader in job creation. This election is our time to send Jason Petrella to Harrisburg to fight for us in the State Senate."
Petrella also addressed governmental reform, one of his main campaign themes.
"As a state legislator, I will work to reform business as usual," Petrella said. "An important first step is to make government more accountable to the people. We must strengthen the Open Records Law and potentially even further increase the penalties for violating the Sunshine Law. One thing is certain: we need new blood to reform our government. We cannot expect the same players entrenched in the same system to do so."
Below is some more information on the organizations that have endorsed Jason Petrella:
The Pennsylvania AFL-CIO represents over 900,000 working men and women at 1,422 locals across the state. The PSEA represents more than 187,000 Pennsylvanian public school teachers and education support professionals. SEIU has 58,000 members in Pennsylvania who work in health care and property services and as public employees. Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 47 is a consolidation of six locals in western Pennsylvania that has a total of 1,211 members. Teamsters Joint Council No. 40 has nearly 35,000 members in western Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia. -
Petrella Holds Press Conference on Vogel Mailer
At the park fountain on Pennsylvania Avenue, Petrella attempted to elevate the dialogue above the bitter partisan attacks of his Republican opponent.
"From the very beginning, my campaign for State Senate has been a campaign to change how business is done in Harrisburg," Petrella said. "Elder Vogel: your mailer is just plain wrong. You know better than anyone that I worked against these individuals. I ran in a primary against these individuals. I spent only $8,000 in the primary and got 47% of the vote against these individuals.
"That does not sound like someone beholden to corrupt elected officials. If anything, that sounds like someone who loves his hometown too much to allow these individuals to destroy its reputation."
Petrella also brought to light the questionable actions of one of his opponent’s political consultants.
"My opponent says he will change Harrisburg," Petrella said. "He says he will fight against all the waste and corruption in our state government that people are tired of.
"However, my opponent has hired a political consultant all too familiar with the corruption of Harrisburg. Mike Long formerly was Chief of Staff to Senator Robert Jubelirer, architect of the infamous middle-of-the-night pay raise. Long received a $22,000 bonus and at least $95,000 in a settlement package from you, the taxpayer, after Senator Jubelirer was swept out of office in 2006.
"Hiring Mike Long to work on your campaign is not a move to change Harrisburg. It is a move to continue playing the same old game with the same old players." -
Petrella Selected as Nominee in 47th Senatorial District
HARRISBURG-- Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chairman T.J. Rooney today issued the following statement as the executive committee formally nominated Jason M. Petrella as the Democratic nominee in the 47th Senatorial District:
"The Pennsylvania Democratic Party proudly announces the nomination of Jason Petrella by a clear and decisive margin. He will not only be the nominee to succeed Sen. Gerald LaValle, who has served the voters of his district well, but we also look forward to victory on November 4th.
"I wish to commend the three candidates that came forward in the spirit of public service to serve the people of the 47th Senatorial District. In addition, I would also like to thank the 50 members of the executive committee who acted quickly on this matter to get to 26 votes. We conducted a fair, open and honest nomination process that allows our winner to hit the ground running immediately as our Democratic standard bearer."
