Republicans pick South Hills judge as nominee for state Senate seat

Former District Judge Guy Reschenthaler hopes a run for state Senate will help him achieve bigger goals.

“I feel like I can do more for my community and my country as a state senator than as a district judge,” Reschenthaler, 32, of Jefferson Hills said.

Republicans from Allegheny and Washington counties on Saturday nominated Reschenthaler to replace former state Sen. Matt Smith, a Mt. Lebanon Democrat who resigned the 37th District seat June 21 to become president of the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce.

Democrats haven't selected a candidate yet, though two people have expressed an interest in the nomination, said Allegheny County Democratic Committee Chair Nancy Patton Mills. Voters will choose a replacement for Smith in the Nov. 3 general election. In the meantime, the seat remains open, though staff from Smith's Harrisburg and district offices continue to serve residents of the district.

Reschenthaler, who resigned his judicial post just before accepting the nomination, said he believes in “limited government, low taxes, and I want to make sure we have pension reform.”

Eighty Republican conferees within the 37th District cast ballots for six candidates at the Crowne Plaza Pittsburgh South hotel in Bethel Park.

The conferees went through five nominating rounds. In the final round, Reschenthaler received 48 votes to Paul Dixon's 31 votes, with one abstention.

“Obviously, I'm disappointed,” said Dixon, 61, a Bethel Park councilman. “I have confidence in myself, but I'll get over that. ... We have to get behind the candidate and get him across the finish line.”

The other candidates were John Schnatterly, Tim Young, Natalie Mihalek and D. Raja.

Reschenthaler, a real estate attorney, was elected district judge in 2013, replacing Pat A. Capolupo, who retired.

He graduated from Penn State Behrend in Erie and Duquesne University School of Law before attending officer-development school in Newport, R.I. A former Navy JAG lieutenant in charge of the Texas/Oklahoma area of operations, he also spent time prosecuting terrorists in the Iraqi court system, according to information he supplied to the Tribune-Review.

Democrats hold a slight edge in registered voters in the 37th District. Republicans hold 30 of the Senate's 50 seats.

Bill Vidonic is a staff writer for Trib Total Media.