The Allegheny County Democratic Party jolted some of its potential candidates with a sharp increase in the filing fee levied on those seeking its committee members' endorsement for state legislative seats.
In the last election cycle, the party demanded $750 of anyone seeking the party's official backing in state House races. This year, the fee jumped to $2,000 for most districts. In the 20th District, where a special election to fill an open seat will coincide with the regular spring primary, the new fee is $3,000.
Some Democrats see the change as a disguised effort at incumbent protection, arguing that the hefty price tag is likely to discourage some would-be challengers to office-holders and other more-established candidates. Jim Burn, the party chairman, dismissed that interpretation. He defended the fee structure as a means of weeding out frivolous candidates.
"The sad truth in this business is that the ability to win is based in part on the ability to raise money," he said.
Mr. Burn contended that a candidate who would be deterred by the new fee would probably not be able to raise the sums needed to be a serious contender. The chairman said that the financial demands of running for office were likely to be even greater this year after last month's Supreme Court ruling loosening the restrictions on corporate spending to influence elections.
Mr. Burn said that the endorsement process costs the party between $35,000 and $45,000, including the costs of mailings, rental fees for voting machines and the Heinz Field venue that will host the March 7 event, which will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Heinz Field. In addition to the filing fees, winning candidates face more assessments from the party to defray expenses such as slate cards and other organizational costs in the primary and general elections. He said that if the filing fees produced any surplus, it might allow the party to lower the subsequent costs for winning candidates.
In the 20th legislative district, vacant since Judge Don Walko resigned to take his seat on the bench, at least two candidates have decided against seeking the endorsement because of sticker shock at the filing fee. Tim Tuinstra, of Observatory Hill, said he would still run for the seat in the primary, but had changed his mind about seeking the party backing.
"I'll be honest, it seemed excessive to me," he said. "I did withdraw my name from the consideration for the endorsement; I just couldn't justify that to my contributors. I think I can put that money to better use."
Mark Purcell, of Ross, another candidate for the open seat, said he would remain in the race, but had decided against seeking the endorsement because of the new fee.
"It's just not good for the party; it's not good for the process," he said.
Dan Keller, of Brighton Heights, another 20th District contender, said he was surprised by the fee but decided to pay it.
"I just really look at this as the price of poker," Mr. Keller said. "I'm a proud Democrat. I wanted to show my fellow Democrats that I'm for real as a candidate ... whether it's too much, I don't know, I didn't really question it. All I know is that I'm running hard against the mayor's brother."
He referred to Adam Ravenstahl, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's brother, another North Side resident and candidate for the Walko seat.
Correction/Clarification: (Published Feb. 19, 2010) The endorsement meeting of the Allegheny County Democratic Party will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 7 at Heinz Field. This article as originally published Feb. 18, 2010 gave an incorrect date.
First Published: February 18, 2010, 5:00 a.m.
