Thursday, June 25, 2009
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Welcome To Demslyvania
GOPers have been busy touting challengers out West and in unfriendly territory in the Northeast. But don't go looking for any in PA, at least not yet.
-- Despite the fact that five Dems sit in CDs that have an "R+" Cook PVI score, none are in any immediate danger. The bright spot in this group for GOPers may be in PA-04, where they may be on the verge of signing up state Rep. Mike Turzai (R) to run against Jason Altmire (D). John Murtha (D-12) may face some trouble, but even with his PMA problems, the way he easily dispatched a tough '08 challenger makes us skeptical he'll face difficulty in '10. Meanwhile, Kathy Dahlkemper's (D-03) lone challenger, a teacher, has dropped out, and GOPers haven't got anybody of note to run against Chris Carney (D-10). The party seems to have written off its chances against Tim Holden (D-17).
-- In fact, Dems may even get to build on their 12-7 lead. Bethlehem Mayor John Callahan (D) is seriously re-thinking a bid against Charlie Dent (R-15), and would represent a huge improvement over their '08 challenger, whom Dent dispatched rather easily. And if Jim Gerlach (R-06) does run for GOV, ex-editorial writer Doug Pike (D) appears to be building the strong campaign he'll need in order to pick up the Dem-leaning seat.
-- It's difficult to believe, but GOPers were the ones that owned a 12-7 lead just four years ago. It may be awhile until they get that back.
Phoning It In
Bethlehem Mayor Callahan (D) gets a push from VP Biden to run against Rep. Dent (R-PA 15). But Dent's camp. seems concerned, and immediately responds.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Special Elections
NEW YORK 23 (R/PLATTSBURGH -- MCHUGH)
1. You're Seventeen, You're Beautiful, And You're Mine
Upstate Dem "leaders announced this week that anyone who wants to be considered for the" Dem nod "must make their intentions known by noon" on 7/17. In a joint statement, the Dem chairs "in the 11 counties" in NY-23 said they were "all invested" in selecting the best possible candidate.
The chairmen said each application package "must include: a résumé, a cover letter or personal statement, a description of the candidate's priority issues and positions on issues of primary interest to the voters in the 23rd district, a description of the candidate's ability to raise money and self-fund a campaign, a description of the candidate's party affiliation and voting history, and a description of the candidate's outreach efforts to party officials and other community leaders" (Kurtz, Roll Call, 6/25).
A Zero On The Richter Scale
"Swing State Project" reports that ex-NY Rangers goalie Mike Richter (D) -- "a name that simply won't go away whenever it comes to suburan/exurban NYC political speculation" -- will not run in NY-23. Richter, via email: "I am flattered to be mentioned for the position but will not seek office at this time for family reasons. I do hope to have an opportunity to be a public servant in the future, however" (6/23).
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