Are new candidates handi-capable?

The Inquirer reports today that there are 587 candidates for state house and senate this year, about 200 more than last year. It’s the most in at least a decade. Additionally, 22 current legislators are retiring.

The influx of candidates is mainly due to Operation Clean Sweep, which has a goal of voting out all the incumbents. OCS was formed in the wake of the legislative pay raises passed in the wee hours of the morning back last summer.

The pay raises were eventually rescinded, but candidates are running anyway. Most of them are political neophytes, driven with the idea of changing Harrisburg for the better. They’ll fail (even if they get elected, natch), but it’s a very nice gesture.

A retiring congresswoman, though, says it’s not going to be all fun and games if these first-time candidates do end up getting voted in:

“New blood may not be an improvement. We may lose some very dedicated public servants and many of those running don’t have a clue what this job is about. It’s 24/7,” said Rep. Jacqueline Crahalla (R., Montgomery) who is retiring after this term, her second.

“When I go to the grocery store, I get asked for a handicapped placard application. There is no life for yourself.”

Oh, the tough life of a congresswoman. Nice salary, full benefits, pension, “unvouchered expenses,” &c. But, you know, people might ask you for a handicapped placard application. Hear that, Albert?

New faces in Pa. legislative races [Inky]
Campaigning is Tough! [dragonballyee]
Nov. 1, 2005: Breaking: Possible big news event happens, blogger makes fun of headline typo
Jan. 31: Contrarian broadsheet, indeed!