WAYNESBURG — The chairwoman of the Greene County commissioners said she will run against state Rep. Bill DeWeese in the May Democratic primary.

Pam Snyder, 54, said she decided to run for state office during last year's state budget impasse. She said she was surprised DeWeese announced last week he was running for re-election.

The 59-year-old DeWeese also is a Greene County Democrat and the House whip. He faces theft and conspiracy charges in the Bonusgate scandal playing out in Harrisburg.

DeWeese has held his 50th District seat since 1976 and was formerly speaker of the House.

Snyder is the only Democrat to challenge DeWeese in this year's primary. She's in her second four-year term as county commissioner.