Some supporters of state Senate hopeful Tony Bompiani of Hempfield are still second-guessing the Democrat endorsement of attorney Chris Huffman of Rostraver.
Bompiani was backed by Westmoreland County commissioners Tom Balya and Tom Ceraso, retiring state Rep. Tom Tangretti and Allen Kukovich, director of the Southwestern Regional Office of Gov. Ed Rendell.
But that couldn't garner the endorsement. Bompiani lost by an 82-79 margin. The Democratic Party's victor will face off in November against incumbent Republican Robert Regola, who faces no opposition in the April 22 primary.
Some in Bompiani's camp question whether party by-laws were circumvented, but county Chairman Dante Bertani says they were not.
One issue: Huffman works as a part-time assistant public defender under Bertani, the county's public defender.
"I didn't do anything to help Chris out," Bertani said.
Bertani conceded that since the start of the year he has filled almost 50 vacancies on the committee, including nine appointments made in the week leading up to the county convention. Bertani pointed out that party by-laws contain no provision outlawing the practice, a situation he believes should be rectified. Among the appointments were three teachers from Hempfield Area School District, where Bompiani served as a school director during contentious contract negotiations.
Bertani intends to propose a change in the by-laws to prohibit the appointment of committee members within 30 days of the convention.
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/search/s_556279.html
On March 17, 2008, the Teamsters Local #30 PAC announced its endorsement of Dr. Tony Bompiani for Pennsylvania State Senator of the 39th District.
