HARRISBURG, Pa. - A scramble to collect enough signatures over just a week and a half to make it onto the primary ballot began over the weekend, kicking off what is certain to be a year of political change in the Pennsylvania Legislature.The state Supreme Court cut in half the normal three-week petition-gathering period last week, when the court approved new General Assembly maps.The justices left in place the May 17 primary date but gave candidates until Monday to get the signatures required to make the ballot — 500 for state Senate and 300 for the House.The pandemic and general wariness about disclosing personal information are not making the the process any easier."To be perfectly honest, this is a tough time," said seven-term Rep.
Sheryl Delozier, R-Cumberland, after spending several days knocking on doors in a suburban Harrisburg district that underwent significant changes in reapportionment. "People are afraid they're signing a fraudulent something-or-the-other."The launch of petition gathering has been accompanied by a new wave of retirement announcements — at least 22 Republicans and seven Democrats in the House are not seeking another term.
Five state senators, four Republicans and an independent who caucuses with the GOP, are also bowing out.It's a large number of departures to hit the 203-member House with a couple of months to go before the first votes are cast.Rep.
Andrew Lewis, a second-term Republican from Dauphin County, got drawn into a district with a fellow Republican, Rep. Sue Helm.