Two election battles – in the 65th and 75th Legislative
districts – top the list of local primary election races, according
to an unofficial list of candidates appearing on the Pennsylvania
Department of State’s Web site.

Candidates had until Tuesday to circulate and file nomination
petitions to run in the May 16 primary election.

In the 65th district, incumbent state Rep. Kathy Rapp, R-Warren,
will face a challenge from Warren accountant Tom Jackson, who is
also seeking the GOP nod.

The freshman lawmaker was elected after the retirement of former
state Rep. Jim Lynch, R-Warren, two years ago. She is also a former
health care industry worker.

Meanwhile, Jackson is a trust officer at Northwest Savings Bank
and had previously served on the Sharon school board.

The 65th district includes a portion of McKean County and Warren
and Forest counties.

In the 75th district, state Rep. Dan Surra, D-Kersey, will face
competition for the Democratic nod from newcomer LeRoy Kopp of St.
Marys, who is currently a student at Clarion University of
Pennsylvania.

Surra is seeking his eighth term as a legislator. Prior to
running for office, he was employed as a teacher in the DuBois Area
School District.

The winner on the Democratic ticket will be challenged by St.
Marys resident and businessman Todd “Booka” Hanes, a Republican who
is being backed by PA CleanSweep, an organization formed in the
light of the pay raise scandal and whose primary goal is to defeat
incumbents statewide.

This is Hanes’ first time running for office.

The 75th district includes all of Elk County and a portion of
Clearfield County.

Elsewhere, state Rep. Martin Causer, R-Turtlepoint, apparently
won’t face any opposition for his 67th Legislative district
seat.

Causer, who is seeking his third term in office, is a former
Annin Township supervisor and serves as a volunteer emergency
responder. He is also a member of the McKean County Republican
Committee.

The 67th district includes McKean, Cameron and Potter
counties.

Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. John Peterson, R-Pa., apparently won’t face
any opposition on the Republican ballot this spring, however, will
face off with Democrat and former Jefferson County commissioner Don
Hilliard in the general election this fall.

The duo are vying for the 5th Congressional district seat.

Peterson has served in Congress since 1996, while Hilliard owns
and operates a tax and accounting business.

Voters will also cast ballots for U.S. senator between Sen. Rick
Santorum, R-Pa., and state Treasurer Bob Casey, a Democrat.

Also, the race for governor will be between Democratic incumbent
Gov. Ed Rendell and former Pittsburgh Steeler Lynn Swann, who will
appear on the Republican ticket.

Both the senator and governor’s races won’t ultimately be
decided until the fall.