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By John Latimer

johnlatimer@ldnews.com @johnmlatimer on Twitter

LebanonDailyNews

With one week left until the May 20 Primary Election, a Democrat has decided to mount a write-in campaign in the 102nd Legislative District.

Jake Long of Annville is seeking the 300 write-in votes needed to appear on the fall ballot. A retired Hershey chocolate worker, Long is part-time talk radio host and longtime Lebanon County Democratic Committee member, having been a past winner of the Democrat of the Year Award.

There is no Democrat on the primary ballot. Russ Diamond is the lone Republican on the GOP ballot, hoping to fill the seat held since 2007 by Republican RoseMarie Swanger who is retiring. t

Long joins Republican Wanda Bechtold as the second write-in candidate in the 102nd District which includes the boroughs of Cleona, Jonestown, Myerstown and Richland as well as Annville, Bethel, Cold Spring, Heidelberg, Jackson, Millcreek, North Lebanon, South Lebanon, Union and West Lebanon townships.

Bechtold was tossed off the Republican ballot after failing to obtain the required number of signatures on her nominating petition. She is seeking support from both Republican and Democratic votes.

The Lebanon County Democratic Committee is urging Democrats to write-in Long's name in an effort to block Bechtold from occupying the Democratic slot in November, said party Chairman Chris Tarsa.

"The idea of an extreme Republican candidate like Wanda Bechtold seeking the Democratic nomination is hypocritical and unsettling," Tarsa stated in a news releae. "If the effort is successful, Jake has the potential to win the general election this fall given a weak and troubled Republican field. He would do an excellent job fighting for the middle class in the 102 and across the state."

Original post:
Democrat announces last minute write-in campaign in 102nd Legislative District