Armstrong Republican Conferees Named

On March 11, 2010, at Saint Vincent’s College in Latrobe, the Republican Party of Pennsylvania will nominate a person to run in the special election on May 18, 2010 for the 12^th Congressional District. The nominee will be chosen by 134 conferees from the nine-county region that covers the 12^th Congressional District. Each county received conferees based on the number of people that voted for John McCain for President in 2008 in its portion of the district.

Armstrong County received 10 voting conferees. The following people were named voting conferees:  Josh Adams, Jessica Atwood, Kirk Atwood, Michael Miller, Stephen Harkleroad, Charles Echnoz, James Heilman, Nancy Heilman, Alison Weber, and Joshua Young.

“The meeting will be open to the public. Our nominee will be chosen by people from the 12^th District. Meanwhile, Governor Rendell and Harrisburg Democrat Power Brokers will pick Democrat nominee behind closed doors. We’re very proud of having an open and honest process and the volunteers taking part in it,” Michael Baker said.

Kittanning Mayor Kirk Atwood stated, “I’m very excited to be part of our delegation. We have some great Republican candidates. I’m confident that our nominee will be an asset to Armstrong County and Kittanning Borough.”

Bowman to Run Against Jeff Pyle

Jo Ellen Bowman

Jo Ellen (White) Bowman announced her intention to file for the Democratic nomination for State Representative of the 60^th Legislative District in Pennsylvania currently occupied by Republican Jeff Pyle.

Bowman is a lifelong resident of Armstrong County and is currently the executive director of HAVIN, Armstrong County’s domestic and sexual assault program.  She has a 26 year history of service to Armstrong County, southwestern Pennsylvania, and the Commonwealth. 

When asked to comment on her decision to seek the nomination, Ms. Bowman replied, “I’m obviously not a career politician. I am fifty-five years old; I am frustrated with government, its waste and corruption.  I believe now is the time to use my personal, educational, professional experiences to make lasting and positive changes for our communities and for our Commonwealth.” 

She acknowledged the time that Jeff Pyle has spent as the Representative of the 60^th District, but says now is the time for change.  “We cannot move forward by drawing lines in the sand.  We must work together and break down partisan barriers, acknowledge our differences, identify challenges yet focus on solutions. Representatives are elected to serve all of the people, I am excited about the opportunity to do just that for the 60th Legislative District.” 

Bowman demonstrates her civic responsibility by serving as the past chairperson of the Armstrong-Indiana Drug and Alcohol Commission.  She is currently a member and serves on the Board of the Kittanning Rotary Club, the Alcoa Technical Center’s Community Advisory Board and the Lenape Technical School’s Occupational Advisory Board.

Her active involvement in improving the lives of those in Armstrong County are demonstrated by being the STOP Violence Against Women Coordinating Team Liaison, chair of the Victims of Crime Act Policy Board  and an active member of the Armstrong County Criminal Justice Advisory Board.  Jo Ellen is the coordinator of Armstrong County Community Awareness Day, a unique Countywide project focusing on non-violence, anti-drug, anti-crime, and civic pride messages originated by District Attorney Scott Andreassi, Magisterial District Judge J. Gary DeComo, and Sheriff Larry Crawford.  On a statewide level, Ms. Bowman is a member of the board of directors for the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, and is the Chairperson of the Pathways Conference Committee, for the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency.    

Bowman, is the daughter of Billie R. White and the late James W. White also of Kiskiminetas Township.  She graduated from Apollo-Ridge High School in 1972 and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. After graduating, Magna Cum Laude from IUP, Bowman received her Master of Social Work degree from the University of Pittsburgh with a specialization in Children, Youth and Families.    She continues to complete coursework to maintain her credential as a Licensed Social Worker.

She and her husband Kenneth have lived together in Kiski Township for the past nineteen years and between them have four children and nine grandchildren.

 Bowman has heard loud and clear that the people of the 60^th District are looking for new leadership, they want ethics reform in State Government and a representative who will be responsive to their needs.   She looks forward to the opportunity to use her leadership, advocacy, collaborative and fiscal management skills to help bring jobs to and improve the economy of the 60^th District, support education and much needed social services.  Ms. Bowman vows to put “People and Principles before Politics”.   

She will be circulating nominating petitions now through March 9th. The primary will be held on May 18, 2010.