Election 2012: Mustio Vies for Re-Election, Pippy's Seat

State Rep. Mark Mustio said he began to mull his bid for the Pennsylvania Senate after his fellow Moon-based legislator, Sen. John Pippy, announced his intent to retire from state politics.

“I thought if John’s going to leave, I’m going to need someone who I can work with (in the state Senate),” Mustio said. “Well, I’m the one I can work with.”  

Mustio, who was elected to the state House in a 2003 special election, is running for Pippy’s seat in the state Senate and for re-election in the state House’s 44th district.  

Mustio entered the race for Pippy's seat after Allegheny County Councilman Vince Gastgeb, whom , dropped out.

He is running unopposed for the Republican nomination for the 44th District in the April 24 primary but faces Republican opponents , a Mt. Lebanon business owner, and , a Bethel Park activist, in his bid for Pippy’s seat.

Moon resident is seeking the Democratic nomination for the 44th District. 

Mustio said economic development in his district has become a cornerstone of his campaign. The Moon Township Republican Committee and  have endorsed him.

“It really all comes down to jobs,” Mustio said. “People are tired of losing their jobs overseas. When I’m going door-to-door I will meet parents whose kids are off to college, and they want to know that their kids are going to have the same opportunities that they did in this region.”

Mustio, a graduate, earned a degree from Grove City College and is president of Hicks Heim Mustio.

Prior to his term in the state house, Mustio was chairman of the , an experience that he said has shaped his tenure in Harrisburg. 

He said he broke with his party to vote “no” on state House Bill 1950, which stripped municipalities of the ability to regulate Marcellus shale drilling and levied an impact fee for drilling companies.

“The benefit that a former supervisor has is that you understand things at the municipal level,” he said. “My vote on the Marcellus shale bill was "no" because I think it’s important that local government have the ability to create those ordinances.”

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