C.L. "Jay" Jabbour doesn't know how to quit politics.

He first stepped in the local political spotlight as chairman of the West Mifflin Democratic Party in the mid-1970s.

Now, three decades later, Jabbour is setting his sights on the Democratic primary for the 38th district in the State Assembly.

"It's always been the same goal in mind, to serve in Harrisburg," said Jabbour, a 75-year-old resident of West Mifflin.

Jabbour has attempted to run for the office seven times before: 1982, 1984, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996 and 2006. He lost to former State Rep. Richard Olasz the first six times. State Rep. Bill Kortz defeated him in the 2006 election.

Despite his struggles in the state elections, Jabbour succeeded in winning seats on the West Mifflin Borough Council and on Allegheny County Council.

Jabbour served on West Mifflin's council, on and off again, dating back to 1979.

He also held the 9th District seat on the county council from October 2001 to March 2006, when he resigned from council to run in the primary.

Jabbour works as an accountant and is also manager of Riverview Homes Association.

One of Jabbour's platforms is property tax reform. He supports the creation of a multi-tiered progressive income tax for all Pennsylvania residents, similar to the one proposed by State Senator Vincent Fumo, D-Philadelphia.

"I like the Fumo approach because it places a greater burden on those most capable of bearing it," Jabbour's position paper reads. "In many ways, the wealthier tax payers will be the least affected. Because state income taxes can be deducted from federal income taxes, the federal government will be picking up part of the tab."

Jabbour also proposes term limits for elected state officials, advocates healthcare reform and supports development of the Mon-Fayette Expressway.

The candidate's past accomplishments include heading the Allegheny County commission that renamed the Homestead Grays Bridge and leading the county government reform committee that investigated row office reform.

His political advisor, Marty Marks, said the public needs a candidate like Jabbour who will not only make promises, but act on them if elected.

"They deserve somebody who tells it like it is," Marks said.