The Allegheny County Democratic Party jolted some of its potential candidates with a sharp increase in the filing fee levied on those seeking its committee members' endorsement for state legislative seats.

In the last election cycle, the party demanded $750 of anyone seeking the party's official backing in state House races. This year, the fee jumped to $2,000 for most districts. In the 20th District, where a special election to fill an open seat will coincide with the regular spring primary, the new fee is $3,000.

Some Democrats see the change as a disguised effort at incumbent protection, arguing that the hefty price tag is likely to discourage some would-be challengers to office-holders and other more-established candidates. Jim Burn, the party chairman, dismissed that interpretation. He defended the fee structure as a means of weeding out frivolous candidates.

"The sad truth in this business is that the ability to win is based in part on the ability to raise money," he said.