The leaders of the Republican party yesterday unanimously selected Joe Pittman as their candidate to replace retired Senator Don White. Pittman served as White’s chief of staff for the senator’s entire 19-year tenure in the Senate.
Pittman says serving as a problem-solving senator will be his top priority, listing “responsible growth” of the natural gas and coal industries, workforce development, rural broadband and natural gas service, and rehabilitating existing infrastructure as his primary goals.
Pittman said that he was honored to receive the unanimous vote for the nomination, and said he was committed to the district.
—Joe Pittman, (R) candidate for 42nd Senate District
Pittman is a Hillsdale native and a Penn State graduate who has spent almost his entire career working for Senator White. Just last year, he served as the chairman of the annual campaign for the United Way of Indiana County.
Pittman is hitting the ground running as there’s now sixty days before the special election, but he’s already got a bit of a start.
—Joe Pittman, (R) candidate for 42nd Senate District
Pittman’s opponent in the special election on May 21st will be Democrat Susan Boser, an IUP sociology professor who was chosen by her party last Sunday. The winner of the special election will serve the remainder of White’s senate term, which expires next year. That means the race will be open again for the full term.
