142nd Loses a Candidate

from the inbox:

Citing an unwillingness by his employer to grant a leave of absence from his job with Verizon, Harry Arnold, the Democratic nominee for the 142nd Assembly District seat in the PA House of Representatives, has announced that he will not be a candidate in November.
"I am heartbroken that after so much election day help from dedicated Democrats across the district to get me on the ballot, my employer has surprisingly chosen to deny my request for a leave of absence so that I might serve the people of my district in the event I had been successful in my campaign for the State House. I am disheartened that the voters of the 142nd will ultimately suffer a loss by not having a real choice in the November election," said Arnold.

Arnold won a spot on the ballot following a contested write-in campaign involving the incumbent Republican Representative, Frank Farry, who mounted a pre-emptive write-in campaign on the Democratic side in the April Primary. Arnold beat Farry easily and was looking forward to giving voters a choice by not allowing Farry to walk into a third term unopposed.

In accordance with election law, the Democratic Party in Bucks County has the opportunity to appoint a replacement for the spot on the ballot. There is no one currently under consideration for the vacant slot.

"Harry Arnold's predicament is just one more example of how regular folks, who work at real jobs, are effectively shut out of running for office," said Bucks County Democratic Committee Chairman, John Cordisco. "We need more people like Harry in Harrisburg, but unless something changes, we simply won't have the chance to elect people who lead working class lives and who represent the common sense values of our community. I and the committee thank Harry for stepping up to the challenge and trying to make a difference and completely understand that taking a chance in politics can't come at the expense of the security of a hard earned 23-year job and career."