PA-SD49: Can Wertz (D) Help Turn PA Senate Blue?
Jim Wertz spent his early professional years behind a camera before moving to the head of the class as a professor at Edinboro (now PennWest) University.
Now, he steps on center stage as a political candidate who could help turn the Pennsylvania Senate from red to blue.
The Erie Democrat challenging two-term Republican incumbent Sen. Dan Laughlin (R-Erie) in the 49th senatorial district. PA Dems hope that the chair of the Erie Democratic Party can topple Laughlin and move them one seat closer to a majority position in Harrisburg.
Republicans presently hold a 28-22 advantage in the state Senate, but Democrats are hopeful that Wertz, along with Rep. Patty Kim (D-Dauphin) in SD-15 and Nicole Ruscitto in SD-37, can flip those seats. And with a Democratic governor in Josh Shapiro, that would put Dems in control of the chamber for the first time since 1994.
https://www.politicspa.com/from-behind-the-camera-to-center-stage-can-wertz-help-turn-pa-senate-blue/138642/