For more than three decades, Jess Stairs was a near-certainty in state House races. He won the 59th District seat 16 consecutive times.

Mr. Stairs, R-Mount Pleasant, will retire from the Legislature late next month. His successor will be even more of a certainty: A man named Mike.

Mike Reese, R-Mount Pleasant Township, and Mike O'Barto, D-Unity, are facing off in the 59th, a race that will be determined in the Nov. 4 general election.

Their district is composed of much of the Laurel Highlands region -- the eastern half of Westmoreland County and a small portion of Fayette County.

Even though this is their first foray into statewide politics, both candidates have plans for fomenting change. The economy and legislative excess are priorities as they try to win Mr. Stairs' seat.

"Employment opportunities are a big concern in Pennsylvania," said Mr. Reese, 30, the assistant finance director for Westmoreland County, who defeated Buddy Helterbran, 64, of Ligonier, in the GOP primary in April.

"A lot of Pennsylvanians graduate from college and go to other states for work," he continued. "My opinion is our state has trouble attracting businesses. A lot of small businesses have trouble starting up here. Our corporate net income tax is one of the highest. That hurts us. The personal income tax is high."

Mr. O'Barto, 49, a Unity supervisor for 15 years, echoes that sentiment about employment.

"The corporate net income tax is 9.9 percent. It needs to be under 7.0 We have to stimulate the economy by making things enticing for new businesses," said Mr. O'Barto, who ran unopposed in the spring.

Though they are vying for a position in the Legislature, both favor a leaner, thriftier version of that body.

"The numbers should be trimmed in the House and Senate. I also believe in term limits," said Mr. O'Barto, a Greater Latrobe High School graduate and a father of four -- two sons, two daughters.

And, two years after House and Senate members approved a controversial pay raise for themselves, he takes issue with legislative spending.

"We need to look at whether funds are being spent efficiently," Mr. O'Barto said. "I don't think we are spending efficiently. There's too much pork.

"The budget needs to be trimmed. If programs are not working, we need to eliminate them."

Mr. Reese, an unsuccessful candidate for county commissioner in spring 2007, said he has "been running a campaign since Day One that our Legislature is too big."

A Mount Pleasant Area High School graduate with a young son and young daughter, Mr. Reese advocates accountability in state government.

"A lot of people are wondering what their representative is doing," he said. "I would like to create a site in which someone in Mount Pleasant can look at the Web and see what a legislator is doing. They can see campaign expenses, donations received, plus a voting record."

Tourism, of course, is a major industry in the 59th District. The Laurel Highlands is a recreational hub. "We need to make sure that tourism stays strong here," Mr. O'Barto said.

He added that the decline of volunteer fire departments is another hot button issue statewide. "We need to keep them strong and financially secure."

Each candidate -- if elected -- pledged to serve all constituents equally.

"This is about the people, not just with who is a Democrat or Republican or an independent," Mr. O'Barto said.

"A lot of the voters' concerns are my concerns," Mr. Reese said.