Legislator dropout list reaches 20

If you're keeping score, the list of Pennsylvania Legislators who are not seeking re-election in 2008 has grown to 20 (12 Republicans and 8 Democrats).

The latest dropout is Rep. Jess M. Stairs (R-Fayette/Westmoreland), who is giving up the 59th House District seat he's held for 32 years.

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; Jess M. Stairs, Fayette/Westmoreland; David J. Steil, Bucks.

Expect more incumbents to announce their retirement in the next two weeks.

In 2006, the year after the Legislature voted itself a huge middle-of-the-night pay raise, 31 incumbents chose not to seek re-election.

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.