State Senate candidate Steve McDonald took his no-pay-raise, no-perks campaign a step further this morning.

He called on his fellow candidates to do the same.

McDonald, the county's recorder of deeds, signed a pledge today saying that if elected he would not accept a state pension, would serve no more than three terms, would not accept a pay raise or perks, such as per diem pay or use of a state-leased car.

"When I started this campaign many months ago, it was clear from listening to people in the district that they wanted real reform in Harrisburg," McDonald said at a brief news conference at the office of Old Guard Mortgage in Lancaster City.

"I think they want people to go there and be public servants — not for personal gain, not for a long-term career — but to serve and move on."

The pledge, in which he commits to move on and take nothing more than a salary from the position while in office, is proof that he would not be a career politician, McDonald asserted.

He was prepared this morning to send a copy of the pledge — ready for their signatures — to Bill Neff, Lloyd Smucker and Paul Thibault.

Along with McDonald, the three are running for the Republican nomination for the 13th District Senate seat now held by Gibson E. Armstrong.

Armstrong is retiring when his term ends at the end of the year.

The winner of the Republican nomination will be challenged by Democrat Jose Urdaneta in the general election. Urdaneta, a Lancaster City Council member, faces no opposition in his party's primary.

"Would I sign it, sure, that's no biggie," responded Neff when contacted this morning.

Neff, a York County locksmith and security professional with a business in Manheim Township, said he has already committed to serving only two terms if elected to the Senate and therefore would not qualify for a pension. He has also said he would not accept per diem payments or a state-leased car.

"The little perks, like cars, that's just a drop in the bucket," said Neff. He said the candidates should be giving attention to broader issues, such as emergency management, education and health care.

Neither Smucker nor Thibault immediately returned calls for comment.

CONTACT US: bharris@LNPnews.com or 481-6022