About 13,000 people in the southwestern corner of Mercer County have been cut out of the state's northwestern congressional district.

State lawmakers placed Farrell, Wheatland, West Middlesex, Shenango Township and a small portion of Hermitage known as the Southwest 3 voting precinct at the northern tip of a district that stretches south into Allegheny County.

The district is currently represented by U.S. Rep. Melissa Hart, a freshman Republican from Allegheny County.

The rest of Mercer County remains in its traditional home in the northwestern congressional district, currently represented by U.S. Rep. Phil English of Erie.

"It's political, political, political," said Mercer County Commissioner Olivia M. Lazor, the board's lone Democrat.

"I'm disappointed that state Rep. Gruitza (of the Shenango Valley district) did not make a more visible argument against the plan. He's a senior member," she said.

"Melissa Hart is a good lawmaker, but she does not have a clue about Mercer County," Mrs. Lazor said.

Mrs. Lazor also wondered if the portion of the county that remains in the northwestern district -- which, excluding Sharon, is largely Republican -- would become less important to English, who may be able to county on Republican votes.

"We are like orphans in Mercer County," Mrs. Lazor said. "I would rather have it kept the way it was. It's like we're being ripped out of this area," said West Middlesex Mayor David G. George.

"I just can't see how we belong in a district that goes into Allegheny County," George added. "We've had very good relationships with our representatives in the past, but now we will have to start all over again," George said.