A Republican who broke a Democratic Party monopoly in the City of Reading, is attempting to unseat a 40-year incumbent in the race for the 11th state Senate District seat.Stephen Fuhs, the only Republican on the Reading City Council, is challenging state Sen. Michael A. O'Pake, who has served in the Legislature for 40 years.
O'Pake is the No. 2 ranking Democrat in the Senate. He voted "yes" on the legislative pay raise in 2005 and took the money early as unvouchered expenses, a practice ruled illegal by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
This is the first time O'Pake is facing Berks County voters since the pay raise debacle.
O'Pake also served for 20 years on the board of directors of PHEAA, the scandal-ridden student loan agency.
During a recent televised debate, O'Pake complained about his inability to get anything done in Harrisburg because Democrats are the minority party in the Senate, a trend expected to continue over the next four years.
That prompted Fuhs to counter that argument by asking Berks voters to elect a Republican who can work with the majority.
Fuhs is running on a reform platform and supports the elimination of property taxes.
For more on the race, check The Mercury.
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