Clarion man wins Democratic nod for state House seat

A Clarion man secured enough Democratic write-in votes in last week’s primary election to challenge incumbent GOP state representative Donna Oberlander in November.

Joe Billotte

Joe Billotte

Joe Billotte will be listed on the general election ballot as the Democratic nominee for the 63rd District seat in the state House. He received more than the 300 write-in votes needed for a state House seat.

The 63rd District encompasses all of Clarion County and parts of Armstrong and Forest counties, and Billotte received 345 Democratic write-ins in Clarion County compared to 241 for Oberlander, who was hoping to secure both nominations.

She was unopposed on the Republican ballot.

In Armstrong County, Billotte had a preliminary 26-8 edge over Oberlander, with final totals expected today, and Billotte received five votes to Oberlander’s four in Forest County.

Billotte said when he announced his late write-in candidacy that he is eager to fight for area residents in Harrisburg, and he said “no one citizen should feel that they have less of a voice than another. We all matter.”

Billotte works in sales and management and is currently employed with API Autobody Products Inc. in Clarion. He earned his bachelor’s degree at Clarion University in 1989.

Oberlander is a former Clarion County commissioner and is serving her fourth term in the state House.