Changing demographics crack open door for Stuski

Margie Stuski: Campaign photoLEMOYNE -- Margie Stuski knows she still must overcome long-shot odds to become Cumberland County's only Democratic lawmaker.

But long odds are better than no odds. Two years ago, Stuski couldn't even schedule a debate when she ran against Jerry Nailor, longtime 88th Legislative District representative. The veteran of Philadelphia politics was little more than token opposition.

Nailor's retirement, however, and Pennsylvania's continued leftward swing, felt even in central Pennsylvania, has at least given Stuski a chance to fissure the GOP-dominated county when she runs against Republican Sheryl Delozier this fall.

"The difference is there's opportunity now," Stuski said.

Cumberland County still tilts far to the right -- Republicans hold a 25,000 voter-registration advantage, about 75,000 to 50,000.

But not long ago Republicans held a 2-to-1 advantage. Slight gains made by Democrats in recent years relatively surged before this year's Democratic primary, when the presidential campaigns showered even Cumberland County with attention. Democrats have even captured several West Shore municipal seats.

"Slowly, quietly, it's changing," Stuski said.

Party members who held only a single low-key event in support of U.S. Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) in 2004 are now full-fledged Democrats, she said, eagerly campaigning for anybody with a "D" next to their name.

"People want to be with the winner, and they're starting to smell a winner," she said.

Her opponent Delozier acknowledges she's met former Republicans while she campaigned, but she points out plenty of voters are still committed to conservative principles.

"I heard from a lot of very strong animated Republicans," Delozier said. "They say we really need to stick to our guns and principles."

Stuski knows her district still has plenty of die-hard Republicans. She just think it now has enough Democrats and open-minded Republicans to make the election more about the candidates than their party.

Her policy platform is constructed to appeal to centrist Republicans. At the top of her campaign promises -- no new taxes. She also said she wouldn't vote for embattled House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese (D-Greene County) for a leadership position.

"A lot of what I do sounds Republican," she said.

Delozier said she's ready for the challenge.

"I don't underestimate anybody who wants to enter the public arena," she said.