Petrella's selection infuriates local union, party

Jason Petrella's selection to ballot by the Pennsylvania Democratic Party in the 47th Senatorial District on Wednesday has infuriated local Democratic and union leaders, who said the state party unilaterally made a decision while ignoring their recommendation.

The anger runs deep enough to endanger the union's endorsement of Petrella, who is replacing state Rep. Sean Ramaley.

As Dennis Bloom, president of Beaver-Lawrence County Central Labor Council, put it, "We gave them our two selections and kind of got slapped."

The two preferred selections Bloom referred to are Bob Grotevant, former spokesman for Gov. Bob Casey (D) who emerged as a last-minute candidate this week, and Beaver County Commissioner Joe Spanik, originally considered the favorite to replace Ramaley, who stepped down from his campaign following his indictment in "Bonusgate."

AFL-CIO President Bill George, in a letter sent Wednesday morning and obtained by PolitickerPa.com, asked Gov. Ed Rendell (D) to consider the recommendation of the Beaver/Lawrence County union. The recommendation read, "Our first choice would be Bob Grotevant, and if he is not in the mix for the nomination then we would rather have Joe Spanik."

George asked Rendell to pass along the recommendation to the 50-member state Democratic Party Executive Committee, which made the decision.

It is unclear how many members of executive committee received the letter.

"I think it was unfair that they did not listen to labor's concerns ... they paid us no mind and gave us no credibility," Bloom told PolitickerPA.com.

The unions were not the only local groups angered by the state party's selection. Mike Sisk, Beaver County Democratic Party chairman, said his committee's wishes weren't taken into consideration either.

"Our voice was pretty much ignored," Sisk said.

The Beaver County Executive Committee selected Spanik to replace Ramaley last week, a day after the Lawrence County Executive Committee picked Petrella. Because the 47th Senatorial District includes both counties, their split decision meant the choice was sent to the state executive committee.

But that's not fair, Sisk said, because although the district does include some part of Lawrence and even Allegheny counties, the "lion's share" of it sits in Beaver County.

"There should have been a joint meeting of all three committees where presentations were made and votes taken," Sisk said. "It would have been more fair -- the representation of our county would have been heard a little more loudly.

'It's just that when a committee of people were asked to make a decision and they do it, why bother if you're not going to listen to them?" he asked.

Abe Amoros, spokesman for the state party, countered both complaints by saying the process was fair.

"The only response that we have is that this was an open, honest and transparent process that took everyone's positions into account, and we respect them all," Amoros said.

Despite his anger, Sisk said he likes Petrella, who unexpectedly nearly defeated Ramaley in this year's primary. The county committee will fully support the new candidate, Sisk said.

Whether Petrella receives the backing from the union is another question, according to Bloom, who added that he expressed his concern to state Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny County) before the process began.

Asked if the union has concerns about Petrella's commitment to labor, Bloom answered, "Yes, but I'd rather not say why at this time.

"Let me put it like this," Bloom said. "Labor has backed Republicans in the past, if the Republicans are labor friendly. One of our great allies in the Senate was (state) Senator Clarence Bell. We worked hand in hand with Republicans in the past if they are friendly with labor's issues."

The Republican in the race, Elder Vogel Jr., was considered a long shot in the heavily Democratic district before Ramaley stepped down.

AFL-CIO President George said his group's state committee, which he said decides endorsements, would determine which candidate is more labor friendly after each fills out a questionnaire.

"It's a tough seat for a Republican," George told PolitickerPA.com. "Unless there's a whole lot of negativeness, or the Democratic candidate isn't pro-labor" it's hard to see endorsing Vogel.

"But if in fact Vogel is about working families, we'll see."

Bloom said the local union will meet with each candidate Tuesday.