Democrat Dave Wilson, of Buffalo, says he's in it for the "little guy" and that two-term Republican state Rep. Brian Ellis, of Butler Township, is all about "business." But Mr. Ellis counters that being about business means being about the little guy.

The two will face each other in the Nov. 4 general election for the right to represent the 11th District in the state House.

Mr. Ellis was unopposed in the April primary election. Mr. Wilson's name did not appear on that ballot for lack of the proper number of petition signatures, but he won a spot on the November ballot by virtue of write-ins in the spring.

Mr. Wilson, 55, who recently retired as a teacher of vocational education at Northern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center in New Kensington, served as a Buffalo supervisor from 1998 to 2004. He ran unsuccessfully for Butler County commissioner in the 2007 primary election.

He has been self-employed as an auto repair businessman and as a construction worker. He and his wife, Toni, have three grown children.

Mr. Ellis, 38, who has a degree in communications from the University of Pittsburgh, is co-owner of the Ellis Auto Group, which owns dealerships in Penn and the Lyndora and Emlenton areas. He and his wife, Monica, have two children.

Mr. Wilson contends the incumbent is too focused on the business community to fairly represent the interests of all of the constituents.

"I'm not anti-business. I'll do what I can to promote business. But I want businesses that provide family-sustaining jobs. Too many people in this district are being paid minimum wage or close to it. He didn't even vote in favor of increasing the minimum wage. I'm troubled by that," Mr. Wilson said.

Mr. Ellis said his vote two years ago against raising the minimum wage was based on the principle that "the market should determine" pay scales, not the government.

"If we really care about the little guy, then we have to take care of the business owners. They're the ones who hire. Without business, we don't have jobs,'' Mr. Ellis said, noting that creating a favorable business climate in Pennsylvania is his top priority and that his main focus is on "mom-and pop shops" like his own family business that has grown since the late 1980s to almost 70 employees.

If he nets a third term, Mr. Ellis said, he will continue his pledge to never vote for a tax increase, he'll try to reduce state spending and he'll lobby for a constitutional convention to discuss broad issues of government such as the number of state representatives and how long they serve.

"I'll continue on the path I'm on. I keep my office expenses under budget. I communicate with my constituents. I pay for my car insurance and cell phone and I don't take a state car," he said.

Mr. Wilson said he will work for property tax reform, reducing the size of the Legislature, establishing term limits and improving state infrastructure.

"I'll be a voice for everybody, the business community and the working family," he said.

The 11th District covers in Chicora, Donegal, Oakland, Clearfield, East Butler, Summit, Butler, Butler Township, Connoquenessing Township, Winfield and Buffalo.