The Hotly Contested House Seats in PA. in 2008

[JPZenger]

It appears that the hottest House race in PA. in 2008 will be the effort by Chris Carney to retain his seat in northeastern PA. It is a solidly Republican and mostly rural district. Carney had the advantage in 2006 of running against Sherwood, who was involved in a sex scandal. Here is an article about the 4 GOP opponents in this district. The fundraising leader is an owner of a large manufacturing company, Dan Mueser.

http://www.strausnews.com/articles/2007/12/15/pike_county_courier/news/4.txt

Charlie Dent in the Lehigh Valley is in a district that is evenly matched between Dems and Republicans. The only candidate who has come forward is Sam Bennett, who is not universally liked and who has not been successful so far at fundraising. Most of what she has raised has already been spent. She also is criticized for setting up a new small non-profit organization, and then having it pay her over $100,000 a year in tax money. The salary was then reduced in the face of a public uproar. Dent is personally popular among many voters, and has not done much to get people angry at him. The Dems have always had difficulty recruiting strong candidates against Dent. In 2004, they tried to import a candidate from the Main Line. The guy would have been a good candidate if he had at least some local roots. In 2006, the Dems had no candidate, then a no name guy did a write in campaign. He did surprisingly well even though he had no money.

The National Journal reports that Dems Chris Murphy in Bucks Co. and Joe Sestak in Delaware County so far do not have any serious announced opponents.

Repub. Gerlach also is in a district that is always competitive. The Dems are asking Christopher Casey to run. He is the Senator's brother.

Kos also says that Jason Altmire's district in Western PA will be hotly contested. The most likely opponent is Melissa Hart, who Altmire threw out of office.

Because of the gerrymandering that the Repubs did in 2002, most other house seats will not be competitive. Most of the Dems were packed into a few wierd-shaped districts. That is why it is important that the Dems control the State Legislature in 2012, when the next redistricting occurs.

More info is at www.keystonepolitics.com

Kos also reports that there will be many competitive races in New Jersey, particularly because some GOP incumbents are not running for reelection.

Any thoughts?

[demodonkey]

1. Yes! We MUST control the legislature in 2012 to control the Congresional District lines!

Little known fact of politics, but VERY important.

[JPZenger]

2. More on PA. House Races - from Morning Call

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-a1_5candidates.6185122dec26,0,3484956.story

The above link is to a new article on the PA. House races.

Excerpts:

"In area districts, few challengers have declared their candidacies, but those who have would be political neophytes. Sam Bennett, a nonprofit executive who twice ran unsuccessfully for mayor of Allentown, is running against U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent, R-15th District, as is retired contractor William Hall. And former state trooper Toni Gilhooley is challenging Rep. Tim Holden, D-17th District.

Another who is considering a run is pharmaceutical executive and Marine reservist Col. Tom Manion -- against Rep. Patrick Murphy, D-8th District.

The one local exception is Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta, who is weighing a run against Rep. Paul Kanjorski, D-11th.

Only two challengers raised more than $100,000 through Sept. 30. Chris Hackett, a wealthy entrepreneur challenging Democratic freshman Rep. Chris Carney, 10th District, raised $247,000 through the third quarter, $100,000 of which he gave himself. The other, lawyer Thomas Myers, had raised $107,000 in his quest to unseat Rep. Phil English, R-3rd."

[PADEMJES12]

3. PA House Races

Thanks for the post and the links. I think that most of the
House Races will be in play in Pennsylvania. Phil English and
Tim Murphy are as vulnerable as ever and both are better at
hiding than legislating... looks like fr. Carney will have his
hands full to say the least. Not sure about the Dent- Bennett
race, but i think that could be competitive. Hopefully, the
Dems can get a solid challenger for Gerlach... and we can pick up
some seats.

[rep the dems]

4. Should Chris Murphy say *Patrick* Murphy? nt

[JPZenger]

5. Yes

Yes, you are correct, the first post should say Patrick Murphy of Bucks.

[LynneSin]

6. I've read rumors about Lynn Swann tacklingt Altimire's position

I'd love to see Lynn Swann run again

:rofl:

[PADEMJES12]

7. Lynn to make a 4th quarter comeback?

All's they are is rumors. Anyone running a legitimate
campaign against incumbents is in by now. We are what...
3.5 months away. He would need to raise a ton of dough
just to get by Hart, the GOP favorite... who I think will
be defeated again by Altmire.