Successful Insurgency In Pennsylvania House District 80
By Bob Small
The Pennsylvania 80th House District has been Republican since 1969. It encompasses Blair County — except Altoona and part of Huntingdon County. The Republican Primary is basically the general election.
On April 23, incumbent, Jim Gregory lost to Scott Barger 5,648 votes to 4,649.
It was basically a blow out.
A big issue was Gregory’s support of Mark Rozzi (D-126) as Speaker of the House when the Republicans had a temporary majority in January 2023.
Rozzi, had pledged to govern as an independent but reneged almost immediatly stepping down in place of radical Philadelphian Joanna McClinton take over.
Both Gregory and Rozzi are childhood sexual abuse survivors and were working on a”a constitutional amendment to relax the statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse survivors.”
Barger who has degrees from both Grace College and Grace Theological Seminary served 15 years as a Pastor, then joined the family business WRTA – Altoona,PA, a news/talk radio station that also carries the Altoona Curve minor league team Altoona Curve.
Scott’s wife, Beth, is a public school teacher. They have five children.
On his campaign website, he lists five goals, including enacting a school report card and blockage of the Shapiro Energy Tax. He said “Our job as Representatives is to represent people from our district”.
He also received $15,000 from a PAC associated with State Senator Doug Mastriano (R-33)s.
Unless the Pennsylvania Alternative Parties (Constitution, Green, Libertarian, or Socialist Workers Party) or an Independent gains ballot status, Scott can waltz into office uncontested. This doesn’t speak well for our Pennsylvania Democracy.
See also Bryan Cutler survives primary, Kevin Boyle loses election
