Former Neshaminy board president to run for state House

Ritchie Webb, the former Neshaminy school board president who unexpectedly resigned late last year, announced Wednesday night that he will run for a seat in the state House of Representatives this year.

Webb, 60, who said in December that he was stepping away from the school board to spend more time with his family, is switching his registration to run as a Democrat, he said in a statement. Webb has long voted as a registered Republican, voting records say.

He will seek election in the 142nd District, which is centered in Langhorne and has been represented since 2009 by Frank Farry, a Republican.

In an interview, Webb - who presided over the board during a five-year contract impasse with Neshaminy teachers, which ended with an agreement last June - cited increasing pension costs for school districts as the primary issue motivating his run, saying "I believe that's a major train wreck."

The increasing costs for districts, he said, have harmful consequences on students and families, including higher property taxes, the elimination of programs, or forcing schools to close.

"Unless someones willing to challenge it, it's a road to disaster," he said.