300 signatures

There has been some news about who is and who is not running for 2 of the open state rep seats in Luzerne County. From the TL:

Wilkes-Barre Councilwoman Kathy Kane and city Assistant Solicitor Bill Vinsko are out, and city Administrator J.J. Murphy and Solicitor Tim Henry might be in the race for state Rep. Kevin Blaum’s 121st District seat. Democrats Kane and Vinsko had contemplated running but have decided not to try to succeed Blaum, D-Wilkes-Barre, who announced in December he wouldn't seek re-election. Democrats Murphy and Henry said they will soon decide whether to run.

Other Democrats who might run for the seat include: city Councilman Mike McGinley; Brian O'Donnell, an optometrist and a two-year Wilkes-Barre Area School Board member; Bob Reilly, the Luzerne County clerk of courts; and 21-year-old Jim Williamson of Plains Township, president of his Princeton University junior class. Christine Katsock is the only Republican to announce a campaign for Blaum's seat

In the 118th:

Michael Carroll, a legislative aide for state Rep. John Yudichak, D-Nanticoke, said he may run in the Democratic primary for state Rep. Tom Tigue's 118th District seat. Pittston Area School Board member James O’Brien announced Saturday he’s in the running for Tigue’s seat. Terry Best, another Pittston Area board member, said he plans to make it official next week. Mark Singer, an attorney who also serves on the Pittston Area School Board, has dropped thoughts of entering the Democratic battle for Tigue's seat.

Three Republicans have announced plans to run for Tigue’s seat: Arthur Bobbouine, of Pittston, Luzerne County’s chief deputy sheriff; Maureen Tatu, a Chestnuthill Township supervisor in Monroe County; and Jim Spinola, also of Chestnuthill Township and an architect with an Allentown firm.

All this will shake out March 7, the last day to circulate nomination petitions. A state representative candidate needs at least 300 signatures on a nominating petition for a spot on the ballot. In the state senate race 500 signatures are required. As anyone who has ever been involved in a campaign knows getting 300 signatures is not as easy as it sounds.