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One-on-One with 29th State Senate Candidates

One-on-One with 29th State Senate Candidates - Monday, March 2, 2009 at 5:55PM EST

POTTSVILLE, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY - For the first time in decades, people who live in the 29th State Senate district are about to get a new representative. Two candidates are looking to replace State Senator James Rhoades, who died late last year after a car accident.

The 29th State Senate district spans a total of six counties. It has a total of nearly 250,000 residents. The special election has only been underway for about 55 days. The campaign has gotten nasty at times, as TV commericials from both sides have raised eyebrows. Now, both men want to put the focus back on the issues.

"There's no doubt in my mind that I can do more as a state senator than I can as a state representative," Republican candidate Dave Argall said.

Argall has served in the House of Representatives for more than 20 years. He says his focus is on the economy.

"There is no more important issue than jobs and economic development," Argall said.

Standing in Argall's way, is Schuylkill County Clerk of Courts, Steve Lukach. His experience may not be in Harrisburg, but he says he's ready.

"I have had 30 years of dedicated service as a public official and I intend to bring a common-sense approach to this job," Lukach said.

Television commercials have been playing for weeks in this race. Many have gotten ugly. Argall has been called a "master of a broken political system."

"He's called me a lot of names," Argall said.

Lukach says he's been misrepresented too.

"He's trying to make it sound as if I, as a Schuylkill County official, I raised property taxes on Schuylkill County property owners. That's simply not true," Lukach said.

What is true, is that as both campaigns work to get out the vote, both men want to eliminate property taxes and focus on education.

"We've tried to tweak the school district property tax. It can't be done. We need to scrap it and start all over again," Argall said.

"I want to see every student have every opportunity to get as far as they can, to study and to learn," Lukach said.

Who will win? That decision is up to the voters.

"We feel great. We feel there's a good swing in momentum," Lukach said.

"I feel very good, but it all depends on people showing up at the polls," Argall said.

Polls will be open on Tuesday from 7:00 AM until 8:00 PM in the 29th State Senate District. The results should not take long to calculate. Eyewitness News will have continuing coverage of the election all day Tuesday and the results as soon as they're available.
 


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