Published: November 03, 2008 10:08 am      

72nd district race accusations turn personal

Bad judgment. Not ready. Too extreme. Too dangerous. Can’t be trusted.

Between accusations of being wealthy and owning a Lear jet, to dredging up past misdeeds and attendance at local government meetings, nothing is sacred in the 72nd district.

With one more day before Tuesday’s general election, state House candidates have resorted to negative campaigning in an effort to get votes.

GOP candidate Chris Voccio, whose head was graphically imposed onto another man’s body in front of a jet on a recent bulk mailing from his opponent, Democrat Frank Burns, said recent smears are “unbelievable.”

Extensive efforts Sunday to reach Burns through family and the campaign were unsuccessful.

The full-color flier described Voccio as “wealthy,” who “flies high in his private jet.”

It also said Voccio could not find Johnstown on a map.

Voccio, who said he also has directed negative ads toward Burns, said recent events on the part of both parties are “really bad.”

Voccio’s advertisements have accused Burns of accepting donations from corrupt leaders and criticized the East Taylor Township supervisor for not attending scheduled meetings.

Voccio fliers also noted that Burns was found guilty of a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge related to a Pittsburgh incident in 2007.

“Lies, distortion, half-truths,” Voccio said, describing recent attacks against him.

“My head is on another guy’s body in front of a Lear jet,” he said.

“That’s a $3 million jet.”

Voccio said he does own a small aircraft.

“It’s a single-engine plane,” Voccio said.

The aircraft is part of a hobby that he took up a few years ago.

Voccio said Sunday that his latest mailer from his supporters says Burns is a liar. But Voccio said negativity and recklessness is not good politics.

Voccio said that the negative campaign was not his idea alone.

“I’m following the advice of the people in the Republican Party who are supporting me,” he said.

“If someone attacks you, and you don’t respond, you’ll lose.”