Pennsylvania State House Democrats Face Leadership Battle

HARRISBURG (CBS) - With state House Democrats in disarray after massive setbacks in last week's election, Philadelphia's Dwight Evans – the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee – is facing a challenge to his leadership post.

Word of the effort to unseat Dwight Evans came at a news conference at which more than two-dozen House Democrats blasted their own leaders for cancelling the post-election lame-duck session. Evans is being challenged for the top Democrat spot on the Appropriations Committee by Joe Markosek of Allegheny County. Markosek has the support of Berks County's Thomas Caltagirone, who claims Evans and his staff "operate in a vacuum."

"There's a firewall. You can't even get into his computer to see what they're doing. They write their own checks."

Johnna Pro is a spokeswoman for Evans:

"Rep. Caltagirone is certainly entitled to his opinion. Dwight – if he chooses to run for Appropriations chairman again – will run on his record within the caucus."

In addition to the potential fight for Appropriations, the two top House Democratic leaders in the current session will not be returning next year.

Reported by Tony Romeo, KYW Newsradio