Democrat J.P. Raynock

For Democrat J.P. Raynock, it's Ed Rendell.
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But Raynock, owner of a Lower Macungie Township insurance agency, said early polls showed Reichley was better-known by a small margin, and that the coattails of Rendell, the popular Democratic gubernatorial nominee, should offset whatever is left.
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"People genuinely seem excited about a candidate for the first time in a long time," said Raynock, 31, of Emmaus."I think that's going to blunt . I certainly hope so."

Reichley, 40, also of Emmaus, said GOP polling shows that Rendell's popularity "is not helping candidates down the ticket" in the House or Senate races - and that's why the Democrats are spending money on open seats like the 134th, he said.

Incumbent Republican state Rep.
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Raynock received in-kind contributions totalling $5,356, mostly from statewide groups, from June 11 to Sept. 17.But that increased tenfold from Sept. 18 through Oct. 21.Reichley's comparable figures also rose significantly in the latter portion of the race, with $31,000 rolling in from state party groups Oct. 17-21 alone.

On the issues, Reichley says his opponent has regurgitated Rendell proposals while developing no original proposals."There aren't any Raynock ideas; it's all Rendell policies," the lawyer said.

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"When my opponent says I don't have a vision, I don't have a plan - there's 70 plans out there already," Raynock said."How come they haven't done it already?"

But the opponents aren't so far apart on the major issues of the campaign.

Both say property-tax relief is probably the electorate's chief concern, and each favors increased state contributions to local school budgets.

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Raynock endorses Rendell's proposal to use revenue from legalizing slot machines at racetracks and money saved by cutting wasteful spending to boost spending on schools while allowing a 33 percent reduction in local school taxes.

One way they differ is that, should a tax hike become necessary to increase money for schools, Raynock cites a 1.8 percent income-tax boost contained in a House bill as being a possibility.Reichley sees the income levy as regressive and would opt for a sales-tax hike of 1 percent to 2 percent instead.

But neither man says he wants to raise taxes.

Reichley devised a plan to mandate local school-tax cuts of 10 to 20 percent, using money from the tobacco settlement or from selling the state liquor-store system, or both, to replace the lost revenue.

On the high-profile issue of prescription-drug costs, both men favor relaxing the eligibility guidelines to open the state subsidy programs to more seniors.

Each also cited economic development as important, and Reichley has focused on malpractice insurance reform.

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Raynock said Reichley, who also spent a year as a Philadelphia prosecutor, tried to hide his role as a defense lawyer.

"I didn't hide that," Reichley said, noting that he listed the conflict attorney job in his candidate announcement.Reichley quit the post in August to gain more campaign time; he remains a part-time lawyer with Lightner Law Offices in Lower Macungie Township.

Raynock said Reichley has been sniping at him with the "no vision" allegation and others, and insisted his mailings have not been negative.

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Raynock is endorsed by Democratic state Reps.