Pennsylvania Daybook

DA to pursue death penalty in Pennsylvania officer's killing

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Steve Larchuk is dropping out of the race for the Democratic nomination for Pennsylvania's 12th Congressional District. Instead, the Franklin Park attorney says he'll support Erin McClelland for the nomination in hopes the Democrats will defeat Republican U.S. Rep. Keith Rothfus. Larchuk and several other Democrats had been challenging signatures on McClelland's nominating petitions and trying to knock her off the April 26 primary ballot. In quitting Thursday, Larchuk is too late to withdraw from the ballot but says he's supporting McClelland. He says in a statement that the "protracted court battle and primary contest have become counterproductive" and that "all that matters is defeating Keith Rothfus in November." The district includes Beaver County and parts of Allegheny, Cambria, Lawrence, Somerset and Westmoreland counties.

Larchuk quits race for Democratic nod in 12th Congressional