Thomas L. Garman Jr.
Thomas L. Garman Jr. will try to do what Republicans have failed to achieve for two decades: unseat Democratic state Rep. Mike Sturla.
Garman, who runs a Lancaster city landscaping business, said in an interview Tuesday that he will challenge Sturla in November if for no other reason than to give voters of the 96th Legislative District a choice.
"Our party in 2008 didn't have a candidate," said Garman, a member of the city Republican committee. "To me, that's not really acceptable. The public deserves a debate on the issues that affect them day to day."
Sturla, who is seeking his 11th two-year term in the state House, said he welcomes his November opponent.
"I've always expected a challenger. It was a pleasant surprise last time when I didn't have one," Sturla said.
Sturla won re-election in 2008 without facing a Republican opponent for the first time in 18 years.
"I actually welcome the opportunity to talk about the issues. And it's not that I don't talk about the issues," Sturla said. "No offense to the press, but if there's no challenger, they usually don't write about those issues on the front page. A campaign allows those issues to be talked about more in public. I welcome that opportunity."
Garman, 32, of the 700 block of North Franklin Street, is seeking endorsement from the GOP in the 96th District. The GOP will meet Tuesday night to endorse candidates.
Garman faces an uphill battle against Sturla. Democrats hold a voter-registration edge in the district, and the lawmaker's influence in Harrisburg and among his caucus has grown over the years, affording him access to campaign money — should he need it.
This is Garman's first run for office outside of his committee post, which he has held for about a year.
Sturla is a member of leadership as chairman of the House Democratic Caucus' Policy Committee.
"I know it's going to be an uphill battle," Garman said. "It's automatically an uphill battle in the city. But voters deserve a choice. I'm going to work really hard to meet and talk to them, and maybe I could pull off an upset.
"At this point, I'm going to start small and work toward getting my issues out," he said.
Over the years, Sturla has easily dispatched his Republican challengers: Peter Hahn, Steve Geisenberger, Steve McDonald, Ted Darcus, Tan Vo, Tony Allen, Dave Schwanger and Patrick Snyder.
Garman, a city resident for nearly four years and operator of Landscaping for All Seasons, said he believes voters have grown tired of the same old politics as usual; he cited the 101-day budget stalemate as an example.
He believes the biggest issues are job creation and school property tax reform, as well as the Legislature's — and Sturla's — job performance.
"It's just time for some fresh blood in Harrisburg," he said. "To me, legislators have gotten too cozy and more or less out of touch with their constituents."