HT News

February 9, 2010

Butler Twp. lawyer wants Eachus’ seat

A registered Democrat, Tarah Toohil recently switched to GOP.

By Andrew M. Seder aseder@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
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A Butler Township attorney will formally announce her intention to run for the state House seat currently held by fellow Butler Township resident and House Majority Leader Todd Eachus.

Tarah Toohil, 30, plans to qualify for the Republican ballot in the May 18 primary. Democrat Eachus has said he will seek an eighth term.

Until Jan. 25, Toohil was a registered Democrat but switched parties. She declined to go into detail but said she was dissuaded by some party members she would not name.

She said she has conservative values but is running not for the Republicans or the Democrats but “for the people of the 116th district” that she believes deserve a choice this year.

“This is a democracy. The values that I have are not Republican values or Democrat values. They’re common sense values,” she said.

She didn’t attack Eachus by name but said “our area deserves better leadership. We’re not being adequately represented.”

Dave Georges, spokesman for the Eachus campaign, said the representative had no comment on Toohil’s candidacy.

The 1998 Hazleton Area High School graduate said her chief concerns are reining in “out of control spending” in Harrisburg and rebuilding what she perceives as a lack of accountability from elected officials.

She acknowledged it will be tough to take on a seven-term incumbent who’s the second-most powerful member of the state House and someone with a sizable war chest and an established name.

“I’m not afraid of a challenge,” Toohil said, adding that displeasure with elected officials should aid her effort.

Toohil has been an attorney for a little more than a year, with a practice in Kingston. She said her path to a law degree was difficult and long and gave her a taste of what can happen if you want something enough and work hard for it.

The 116th Legislative District includes Hazleton, the townships of Black Creek, Butler, Foster, Hazle and Sugarloaf and the boroughs of Conyngham, Freeland, Jeddo, West Hazleton and White Haven.

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