19 Pennsylvania lawmakers won't seek re-election

The roster of Legislative "dropouts" grows daily. As of today, 19 members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly have announced they will not seek re-election to their current seats this year.

The balance of power in the Pennsylvania House could hinge on these open seats. Democrats hold a 102-101 majority. So far, Republicans have to defend nine open seats, while Democrats have to defend just six open seats.

But those numbers won't mean much if current or former Democratic legislators are indicted in the ongoing "Bonusgate" investigation. It's going to be hard for Democrats to hold their one-seat majority while some of its members are defending themselves in court.

Also, some of the freshman lawmakers elected in 2006 on a reform platform will have a difficult time explaining the lack of reform to voters in 2008.

The Senate looks like status quo. Republicans hold a 29-21 majority and so far, two Democrats and two Republicans are retiring, so don't look for much change.

Here is the most current list of Pennsylvania legislators who are not seeking re-election after 2008:

Senate

Democrats: Gerald J. LaValle, Beaver County; Connie Williams, Montgomery.

Republicans: Gib Armstrong, Lancaster; Roger A. Madigan, Bradford.

House of Representatives

Democrats: Lisa Bennington, Allegheny; Daylin Leach, Montgomery; Thomas C. Petrone, Allegheny; Thomas A. Tangretti, Westmoreland; Edward P. Wojnaroski, Cambria; Thomas F. Yewcic, Cambria.

Republicans: Bob Bastian, Somerset; Steven W. Cappelli, Lycoming: Arthur D. Hershey, Chester; Jerry L. Nailor, Cumberland; Carl Mantz, Berks/Lehigh; Steven R. Nickol, York: Ron Raymond, Delaware; Carole A. Rubley, Chester; David J. Steil, Bucks.

Expect more incumbents to announce their retirement over the next couple of weeks. A key date is Jan. 22, when legislative candidates begin circulating their nomination petitions. Candidates have three weeks to gather signatures — at least 500 are required for the Senate seats and 300 for the House seats — to qualify for the April 22 primary ballot.

Many incumbents will have to face voters and explain why they haven't accomplished a thing in the past year. That may prompt some of the career politicians to seek another line of work.