BUTLER TWP — Several candidates for various offices spoke Saturday at the Butler County Democratic Committee's meet and greet for primary candidates.

Dan LaVallee of Cranberry Township is the sole Democratic candidate running in the May 20 primary for the chance to face U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-3rd, of Butler in the November election.

He said that Pittsburgh and Youngstown are recovering economically, but Northwestern Pennsylvania is lagging behind. He said Kelly and other Republicans in Congress seem more interested in shutting the government down than advancing good economic policies.

“We have plenty of opportunities for growth,” LaVallee said.

He said the 3rd District needs new leadership in Washington.

“I won't let you down,” LaVallee said.

Lisa Zucco of Cranberry Township is unopposed in the primary for the Democratic nomination for the 12th District seat in the state House of Representatives. That seat is now held by Republican Rep. Daryl Metcalfe of Cranberry Township.

She said Metcalfe has forgotten his own district.

“He's wrong for the 12th District,” Zucco said, noting that Republican Gordon Marburger of Adams Township also is trying to unseat Metcalfe.

She said Metcalfe advocated for the 2012 voter ID law, which was struck down by the courts in January, and advocated for Act 13, the state's oil and gas law that controls Marcellus Shale drilling. Parts of that law were struck down by the courts in December.

“You can't point to one legislative accomplishment,” Zucco said.

Four candidates for lieutenant governor also spoke Saturday.

State Rep. Brandon Neuman, D-48th, of Washington County noted no lieutenant governor has ever become governor in the state, so his run for the office is out of passion rather than political ambition.

He said he has two goals, to help beat Republican Gov. Tom Corbett and to help create a sound government. He noted he has passed three bills in the House and one in the Senate while in office, and as lieutenant governor, he would be able to reach across the aisle.

Mark Critz, a former U.S. Congressman from Cambria County, said the lieutenant governor's race is about moving numbers so the desired gubernatorial candidate wins in the Nov. 5 general election.

“This is about winning,” Critz said.

He said Corbett's cuts to education has forced school districts to cut programs and raise taxes, and that Corbett has conducted a “full frontal assault” on working families.

Brad Koplinski, a Harrisburg city councilman, said the lieutenant governor is the head of the Local Government Advisory Committee and he would use that position to build better relationships with municipalities.

“I think it needs to be done,” Koplinski said.

He said he supports a higher minimum wage, unions and a Marcellus Shale natural gas extraction tax.

Jay Paterno of Centre County, the son of former Penn State University football coach Joe Paterno and executive director of the nonprofit Nets4Nets, said the key to the future and equality is education. He said teachers and unions have taken a beating under Corbett.

In Butler County, he said a living family wage is $16.98. However, with the current $7.25 minimum wage, he noted two people working at that rate come up a little short.