In the 39th, logistics Ward's first hurdle

Kim Ward faces many challenges as she scrambles to make herself into a state Senate candidate.

Raise her name recognition, rein in disappointed supporters of state Sen. Bob Regola (R-Westmoreland County), tout her Republican principles.

But after two days full of campaigning following her official appointment Saturday, Ward has come across another, unexpected, difficulty -- answering the phone.

"My phone rings constantly," Ward told PolitickerPA.com. "I need somebody else to take these calls. I can't keep track of everything I need to to."

Ward hasn't yet appointed a campaign manager, or any staffer for that matter, who could help her meet the demands of her state Senate run.

While most observers ponder her chances against Democrat Tony Bompiani, the longtime Westmoreland County Republican is still trying to take care of her campaign's logistics two-and-a-half months before the election.

"I'll have T-shirts by Tuesday, banners by tomorrow evening and I've started to reach out to different groups," Ward said. "I'm doing basic campaign things for a candidate, except that candidate is me."

Two weeks ago, Ward was content as Westmoreland County's commissioner, elected only last year.

But her political life changed forever last week when Regola stepped down and Ward, after much prodding from the county GOP, decided to replace him on the ballot. She was widely seen in the county as the only Republican who could, starting just 80 days before the election, defeat Bompiani.

If she does win in November, it won't be with Regola's campaign staff. Ward will seek different staffers than the ones who worked with the state senator, she said.

"These folks that work for him are broken-hearted," she said. "I'm going to start fresh with the campaign staff."

She's also seeking a campaign manager. Two candidates are in the running, she said, but declined to name either, saying only they need "to know the district well."

Ward said she hasn't spoken to Regola since Monday, when he withdrew from his campaign. But she said his supporters, if not the senator himself, will still play a big role in the campaign.

"I really feel this time it's not me, I feel like it's a whole group of us," Ward said. "Because this is the only way it's going to get done. I need more help than I ever have had."

Asked if Regola will campaign for her, Ward was non-committal.

"I would welcome help from anyone that wanted to help me," she said.