Moser

It's not really a race if there's only one person in it.

That's why Libertarian David Moser collected the 300 signatures he needed by Wednesday to run against Eugene DePasquale in the 95th House District.

"It's all about the options, really," Moser said.

Moser, 34, said he takes no real issue with DePasquale's performance as a state representative. Rather, he just wanted to give York City residents an option come November, particularly one that he believes will listen to Republicans and Democrats because "I get to be the common ground."

DePasquale was running unopposed in the 95th, but he is also the Democratic nominee for state auditor general. Republican Kyle King, who works in the district attorney's office, had announced his intention to challenge DePasquale in January but bowed out a few weeks later after being told his candidacy was a violation of the federal Hatch Act.

DePasquale has said he'll leave the 95th position if he wins auditor general and the 95th. A special election would have to take place in that event for the 95th. Moser acknowledged he'd have to start from scratch just like any other candidate at that point. But he's hoping the extra name recognition from being in the public eye this year will help.

Or, Moser said, people could vote for DePasquale for auditor general and Moser for the 95th, which would avoid the need for the special election cost to taxpayers and having the position vacant for a matter of months.

"Everybody gets what they want," Moser said.

DePasquale welcomed Moser to the now two-man race and said his legislative record shows he supports making it easier for people to get on the ballot.

"I'm all for competition," said DePasquale, who has served as state representative since 2007.

Moser said he has owned a home in the city for about five years and is starting a new advertising agency, Hot and Fresh, based in the city. He's a 1996 Dallastown Area High School graduate, and ran unsuccessfully for a York City School Board seat last year.

As a minor party candidate, he had to file nomination papers and 300 signatures by Aug. 1; Moser said he was awaiting official word his signatures were accepted but said he had more than enough.

Moser said voters should expect him to be fiscally conservative and socially liberal like most Libertarians.

Moser said he thinks his being outside the usual political circles can help him hold others accountable.

"I'm not going to hold back on pointing a finger," Moser said.

- Reach Andrew Shaw at ashaw@yorkdispatch.com