Metcalfe tackles Smith in 12th District race
CRANBERRY TWP — Voters in 12th District have the choice this year between a nine-term incumbent with an agenda to fight government influence in the lives of taxpayers and maintain traditional family values, and a political newcomer looking to improve area relationships with Harrisburg and bring more state money into the district.
The district includes Adams, Clinton, Cranberry, Forward, Middlesex and Penn townships and Callery, Mars, Seven Fields and Valencia boroughs.
With few events, no debates and scant television advertising, the race has mainly been held in door-to-door canvassing campaigns, on social media and through signs along busy roads and intersections.
After nearly 20 years, district voters should be familiar with incumbent Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-12th.
A veteran and chairman of the House State Government Committee, Metcalfe first took office in 1998. Since then Metcalfe, a staunch conservative, has made a name for himself as someone looking to protect taxpayers from government overreach, curbing regulations on businesses and maintaining what he sees as important family values.
“The last two years we've been successful in the Republican majority through my committee advancing policies protecting taxpayers,” Metcalfe said Monday.
From pension and regulatory reform to recent efforts to curb the size of the legislature and streamline government agencies, Metcalfe said his committee has worked through the last term to fight for these values.
If re-elected, Metcalfe said he'd continue working on these issues and continue working to advance legislation that had been brought before his committee.
“If I'm re-elected I'll continue my work to limit the reach of government, reduce the tax burden on taxpayers and protect the values my constituents hold dear,” he said.
Democratic challenger Dan Smith Jr. is a political newcomer, looking to brand himself as a non-partisan, locally focused alternative to the incumbent.“We're reaching out to people, and they're embracing the fact that local issues are nonpartisan issues, and that's key,” he said.Smith's primary issues, according to his campaign site, include easing traffic and congestion, fighting for first responders, “fair districts,” hunting on Sundays, and “equality for all.”Asked what he's hoping to accomplish if elected, Smith said he would focus on improving the district's relationship with Harrisburg and bringing in more state money for local government projects.“I'm looking to work with Harrisburg to bring revenue in,” he said. “Harrisburg needs to work for this area.”Smith said his campaign knocked on 20,000 doors across the district.Still, he is facing an uphill battle in the heavily Republican district.As of June 27, there were 27,094 registered Republicans in the 12th District, according to Butler County Bureau of Elections records. That compares with 13,504 registered Democrats and 6,774 unaffiliated or independent voters.In the GOP primary, an unopposed Metcalfe got 4,029 votes, while Smith earned 1,494 in the Democrat primary.
