Entrepreneur enters race for state representative
A new face entered the race to see who should be the Republican candidate to take on longtime incumbent Democrat Pete Daley for the state House seat representing the 49th Legislative District
Melanie Patterson will take on Donald “Bud” Cook in the April 26 primary. She hopes to dethrone Daley, who was first elected to the position in 1982.
Patterson grew up in Belle Vernon and graduated from Belle Vernon High School. She went on to receive both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the California University of Pennsylvania. An entrepreneur, Patterson invented PIBS disposable bibs and changing pads.
The former teacher said in a news release, “The people of the Mon Valley deserve good-paying jobs. Unlike career politicians, I’ve run a business and know what works and what doesn’t when it comes to helping job creators and employers.”
Patterson also took aim at Daley.
“I won’t take the taxpayer-funded per diems; Mr. Daley does. I won’t take the taxpayer-funded pension; Mr. Daley does. And I will never vote to raise my own pay,” she said.
State representatives receive a salary of $84,012 and serve two-year terms.
The filing deadline for candidates is Feb. 16, and the general election will take place Nov. 8.
Washington County communities in the 49th District include Allenport, Beallsville, Bentleyville, California, Charleroi, Coal Center, Cokeburg, Deemston, Donora, Dunlevy, Elco, Ellsworth, Fallowfield, Long Branch, Marianna, Monongahela, New Eagle, North Bethlehem, North Charleroi, Roscoe, Speers, Stockdale, Twilight, West Bethlehem, West Brownsville and West Pike Run.
The 49th District also includes three Fayette County townships and Belle Vernon, Fayette City and Newell boroughs.