Candidates Prepare for the 2012 Primary Election

Several U.S. and state house, senate and congressional seats are up for grabs this year. Plenty of candidates have filed their petitions for the upcoming primary election.

Unless a challenge by Republican state lawmakers to push the election back is upheld or the districts are properly formatted, the primary is scheduled for April 24.

Below are the races for districts covering Plum, Oakmont and Verona boroughs. To view the entire candidate roster, go to the Pennsylvania Department of State’s website.

Pennsylvania U.S. Congress

12th Congressional District

Two candidates will face off in the Democratic primary as Jason Altmire, Congressman of the 4th District—his coverage area was moved to the 12th district due to redistricting—challenges incumbent Mark Critz. The 12th Congressional District now includes . The Democratic winner will then face Republican Keith Rothfus of Edgeworth in the November general election.

14th Congressional District

Incumbent Mike Doyle, a Democrat from Forest Hills, will face off with Democrat Janis Brooks, a North Versailles resident, in the primary for the Democratic nomination. The winner will face off with Republican Hans Lessmann of Forest Hills. The 14th Congressional District covers  and Oakmont.

Pennsylvania U.S. Senator

U.S. Senator Bob Casey will face one challenger, Joe Vodvarka of Findlay Township, who was booted from the Democratic Senate primary two years ago for not having enough signatures on his petition. Five Republican state representatives, Sam Rohrer, Steven Welch, Marc Scaringi, Tom Smith and David Christian are vying to unseat Casey.

Pennsylvania State Senate

43rd State Senate District

Incumbent Jay Costa, a Democrat from Forest Hills, is running unopposed. The district covers Verona.

45th State Senate District

Incumbent James Brewster, a Democrat from McKeesport, is running unopposed. The district covers Plum.

Pennsylvania State House

25th Legislative District

Republicans Mike Doyle, a Plum Councilman, and John Yakim, a Monroeville resident, will face off in the primary for the party nomination. The winner will challenge incumbent Joe Markosek, a Democrat from Monroeville, in the November election.

Markosek beat Doyle by about 1,600 votes in the 2010 general election. The district covers Plum.

32nd Legislative District

There's no race during the primary, but incumbent Anthony DeLuca, a Democrat from Penn Hills, will challenge Penn Hills Republican Lawrence Paladin in the November general election. The district covers Verona and Plum.

33rd Legislative District

Incumbent Frank Dermody, a Democrat from Oakmont, will fight to keep his seat in the 33rd Legislative District, which covers Oakmont and Plum. Republican Gerry Vaerewyck of West Deer will challenge Dermody in the November general election.