Political activist Gene Stilp, who is one of four candidates seeking the Democratic nomination, said incumbent Catherine Baker-Knoll is incapable of making decisions and is controlled by her staff.

Stilp made the comments at a League of Women Voters debate Monday night. Knoll did not attend.

Meanwhile, the state Commonwealth Court has rejected a lawsuit filed by Stilp asking that the state auditor general's office review legislative finances.

Stilp filed that suit at the height of last summer's protest over Pennsylvania's legislative pay raise. He claimed the auditor general is required to audit the legislature under an amendment adopted in 1968.

The court ruled that neither the state constitution nor state law authorized such an audit.

Since 1970, legislative audits have been conducted by a certified public accountant.