Green Party candidate Bill Belitskus announced today that he will run for Representative in Pennsylvania's 5th Congressional District, which includes State College.

"I am proud to be running on the Green Party ticket with presidential candidate, Ralph Nader, a true American hero in hero-less times," Belitskus said.

The Green Party is an electoral alternative that believes in empowering citizens and communities, according to its' Web site.

Belitskus intends to run an aggressive campaign and focus on restoring the Social Security Trust Fund, maintaining high quality public education, establishing affordable health care and prescriptions for Americans, and promoting land use planning that protects America's watersheds, according to a campaign press release.

Belitskus said he looks forward to debating incumbent Rep. John Peterson (R-Pa.) on issues of national energy policy, national defense, taxes, public lands and free trade.

"The truth of the matter is that John Peterson is hazardous to his constituents' health. The 5th district can no longer afford the high costs of Peterson to our health and environment," Belitskus said.

Belitskus said he has a vision for the economic growth and development in the 5th district.

The question of whether the Green Party will be well-received in Pennsylvania remains to be seen. Eric Plutzer, associate professor of political science thinks this will depend on the amount of publicity Nader and Belitskus attain in the area.

"If they don't campaign locally, they won't generate enough publicity for the Green Party," Plutzer said.

Congressman John Peterson is in Moscow and was not available for comment.

Peter Winkler, district director for Peterson, said the congressman's attention for the past several weeks has been focused on Edmond Pope, a former Penn State employee being held in Russia on charges of espionage.

"Campaign issues will wait until this issue is successfully solved," Winkler said.