Daryl Metcalfe, the 12th District's state representative for the past 11 years, announced yesterday that he is running for the lieutenant governor's position on the Republican ticket. Given that Metcalfe has spent his entire legislative career focusing on state-wide and national issues that ignore local realities and concerns, it's hardly surprising he's decided to pursue a higher level executive position with more influence over his priorities.

What's absurd, and a slap in the face of those of us in the 12th District, is that Metcalfe is still running for his state representative seat. For 11 years, Metcalfe has literally yelled and screamed on the floor of the General Assembly about everything from illegal alien invasions to homosexuals to teacher strikes to gun control. But in all that time, he's never actually done a single thing related to those issues, with the exception of using our taxpayer dollars to fund rallies. In fact, Metcalfe has authored only one successful bill during his decade drawing an $80,000 salary. It named a bridge.

So why is Metcalfe still running for his state representative seat knowing full well that he'll never accomplish anything for his district in that capacity? It's a fallback job, and he doesn't want to lose his cushy state salary and benefits. Metcalfe believes he can coast to victory on voter ignorance and a 2-to-1 Republican registration advantage.

But Metcalfe isn't really a Republican or a conservative. Sure, he talks like one. But he doesn't act like one. He spends our money on rallies and fliers featuring his face and name front and center. And if there's any question as to whether it's for campaigning, Metcalfe increases such spending by over 50% in election years. He's added two new offices, 15 minutes away from each other, along with additional people to staff them, for almost $2000 a month. But Metcalfe doesn't consider grants for school programs or community parks an acceptable use of our taxpayer dollars. Call his office - he's refused to assist with applications for state funding for any community projects.

So if you agree with Metcalfe's extreme positions on immigration, re-writing the PA Constitution, and attacking veterans as traitors for speaking their mind, then perhaps you should lend him your vote for Lieutenant Governor. But if you believe a representative is elected to represent his community, to work closely in support of local issues and interests at the state level, and to simply do the job he's paid to do, I urge you to oppose Metcalfe's run for state representative this year.