2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania

Overview

By district

Results of the 2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania by district:

District 1

Democratic incumbent Bob Brady was the only member of the Pennsylvania delegation who ran unopposed in 2010.

Brady, a long time central figure in the Pennsylvania Democratic Party, has never received less than 74% in a general election, and opponents have had difficult recruiting even moderately electable candidates in this majority-minority district that includes South Philadelphia and some working class suburbs in Delaware County. No Republican has represented this district since 1949. In 2008, he earned 91% of the vote against Mike Muhammad, a teacher who raised no outside funds. Respected for his ability to reach political deals behind the scenes, Brady has garnered an image as an effective politician, and thus has been rarely challenged by other Democrats. In 2010, Pia Varma, a young freelance writer for conservative publications attempted to gain the Republican nomination, but failed to produce enough signatures to appear on the ballot.

• PA - District 1 from OurCampaigns.com
• Race ranking and details from CQ Politics
• Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Bob Brady, incumbent U.S. Representative

Primary results

Predictions

General election

District 2

Democratic incumbent Chaka Fattah ran for reelection. He faced Republican Rick Hellberg, the CEO of a small financial firm. In 2008, Obama carried this district with 90% of the vote.

Fattah represents one of the top five most Democratic districts in the country, and has never received less than 79% of the vote in his over fifteen-year House career. The district includes North Philadelphia and several traditionally liberal suburbs in Montgomery County. Fattah has had the consistent support of the African American community that is the base of a district that hasn't swung Republican since the 1946 elections. Despite this huge Democratic advantage, the district has small pockets of solid Republican territory, and thus Fattah has continuously received GOP opponents (although ones who were unable to raise all more than a few thousand dollars in fundraising), unlike his counterpart in the 1st District. In 2008, Fattah defeated engineer Adam Lang with 81% of the vote.

Fattah won the 2010 general election with 89.3% of the vote.

• PA - District 2 from OurCampaigns.com
• Race ranking and details from CQ Politics
• Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Chaka Fattah, incumbent U.S. Representative

Primary results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Rick Hellberg, financial firm CEO

Primary results

Predictions

General election

District 3

Democratic incumbent Kathy Dahlkemper unsuccessfully ran for re-election, losing to Republican businessman Mike Kelly, who received 55.7% of the vote. In 2008, McCain carried this district with 49% of the vote.

Dahlkemper faced a difficult reelection bid, in a race that considered a tossup by most political analysts. Dahlkemper became used to tight campaigns in her short political career. A political unknown prior to her 2008 campaign, Dahlkemper leveraged a moderate, blue collar image that enticed Democratic voters in a district that is pro-union, with a center-right tilt on social issues. Dahlkemper, the owner of a large landscaping business and manager of an Erie County arboretum, came from behind to defeat Erie County Concilman Kyle Foust, the endorsed Democratic candidate. She then went on to narrowly unseat (with 52% of the vote) Congressman Phil English, a moderate Republican who had maintained good relations with labor, by attacking his ties to the Bush administration and for failing to follow through on a promise to retire after six terms. During her first term, Dahlkemper has served as a member of the Blue Dog Coalition of conservative Democrats, which has allowed her to keep a middle ground image. However, her vote in favor of healthcare legislation and the lack of an entrenched image in certain corners of the district left her vulnerable.

In 2010, Dahlkemper faced a primary challenge from former foreign affairs official Mel Marin, winning with 73% of the vote. Republicans focused heavily on regaining the seat, and six GOP candidates earned spots on the ballot: automobile dealer Mike Kelly, manufacturing executive Paul Huber, pharmaceutical representative Clayton Grabb, physician Steve Fisher, factory foreman Ed Franz, and accountant Martha Moore. Kelly and Huber far outraised the remaining four challengers, and they became entangled in an expensive campaign. Kelly was eventually victorious, winning 28% of the vote to Huber's 27% in the factious affair.

Kelly, a former member of the Butler City Council, had a base of support in the heavily Republican Butler County, while Dahlkemper was well known in Erie, the center of population for the district. Other small cities in the district, such as Sharon and Meadville were swing regions, with a slightly conservative tilt that balanced out strongly Democratic Erie. John McCain carried the 3rd District by a 49%-48% margin, which reflects the political balance of the area.

• PA - District 3 from OurCampaigns.com
• Race ranking and details from CQ Politics
• Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Kathy Dahlkemper, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

• Mel Marin, foreign affairs official

Primary results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Mike Kelly, automobile dealer

Eliminated in primary

• Steven Fisher, physician
• Ed Franz, factory foreman
• Clayton Grabb, pharmaceutical representative
• Paul Huber, manufacturing executive
• Martha Moore, accountant

Primary results

Polling

Predictions

General election

District 4

Democratic incumbent Jason Altmire ran for re-election and faced Republican attorney Keith Rothfus. In 2008, McCain carried this district with 55% of the vote.

Altmire narrowly won re-election with 50.8% of the vote.

• PA - District 4 from OurCampaigns.com
• Race ranking and details from CQ Politics
• Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Jason Altmire, incumbent U.S. Representative

Primary results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Keith Rothfus, attorney

Eliminated in primary

• Mary Beth Buchanan, former United States Attorney for the Western District of Pennsylvania

Primary results

Predictions

General election

District 5

Republican incumbent Glenn "G.T." Thompson successfully ran for re-election. He defeated Democrat Michael Pipe and Libertarian Vernon Etzel. In 2008, McCain carried this district with 55% of the vote.

• PA - District 5 from OurCampaigns.com
• Race ranking and details from CQ Politics
• Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Michael Pipe

Primary results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Glenn Thompson, incumbent U.S. Representative

Primary results

Predictions

General election

District 6

Republican incumbent Jim Gerlach successfully ran for re-election. He defeated Democrat Iraq War veteran Manan Trivedi. In 2008, Obama carried this district with 58% of the vote.

• PA - District 6 from OurCampaigns.com
• Race ranking and details from CQ Politics
• Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets

Democratic primary

Nominee

• Manan Trivedi, physician and Iraq War veteran

Eliminated in primary

• Doug Pike

Primary results

Republican primary

Nominee

• Jim Gerlach, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

• Patrick Henry Sellers

Primary results

Predictions

General election

District 7

Democratic incumbent Joe Sestak retired to run for the U.S. Senate. Democratic nominee State Representative Bryan Lentz faced Republican nominee U.S. Attorney Pat Meehan and American Constitution Party (independent) nominee Jim Schneller.

• PA - District 7 from OurCampaigns.com
• Race ranking and details from CQ Politics
• Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets

Democratic primary

Nominee

• Bryan Lentz, State Representative

Primary results

Republican primary

Nominee

• Pat Meehan, former United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Primary results

Predictions

General election

District 8

Democratic incumbent Patrick Murphy unsuccessfully ran for re-election. He was defeated by Republican former U.S. Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick. In 2008, Obama carried this district with 54% of the vote.

• PA - District 8 from OurCampaigns.com
• Race ranking and details from CQ Politics
• Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets

Democratic primary

Nominee

• Patrick Murphy, incumbent U.S. Representative

Primary results

Republican primary

Nominee

• Mike Fitzpatrick, former U.S. Representative (2005 – 2007)

Eliminated in primary

• Gloria Carlineo
• Ira Hoffman
• James Jones

Primary results

Polling

Predictions

General election

District 9

Republican incumbent Bill Shuster successfully ran for re-election. He defeated Democrat Tom Conners and Independent Chad Clopper.

• PA - District 9 from OurCampaigns.com
• Race ranking and details from CQ Politics
• Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets

Republican primary

Nominee

• Bill Shuster, incumbent U.S. Representative

Primary results

Predictions

General election

District 10

Democratic incumbent Chris Carney unsuccessfully ran for re-election, losing to Republican nominee U.S. Attorney Tom Marino. In 2008, McCain carried this district with 54% of the vote.

• PA - District 10 from OurCampaigns.com
• Race ranking and details from CQ Politics
• Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets

Democratic primary

Nominee

• Chris Carney, incumbent U.S. Representative

Primary results

Republican primary

Nominee

• Tom Marino, former United States Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania

Eliminated in primary

• Malcolm Derk
• David Madeira

Primary results

Predictions

General election

District 11

Democratic incumbent Paul E. Kanjorski unsuccessfully ran for re-election, losing to Republican Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta. In 2008, Obama carried this district with 57% of the vote.

Kanjorski faced Corey O'Brien and Brian Kelly in the May 2010 Democratic primary, and won with 49.3% of the primary vote.

• PA - District 11 from OurCampaigns.com
• Race ranking and details from CQ Politics
• Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets

Democratic primary

Nominee

• Paul Kanjorski, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

• Brian Kelly
• Corey O'Brien, member of the Lackawanna County Board of Commissioners

Primary results

Republican primary

Nominee

• Lou Barletta, mayor of Hazleton

Primary results

Predictions

General election

District 12

Democrat Mark Critz won a May 2010 special election to replace John Murtha, who served the district for 36 years. He faced Republican businessman Tim Burns. Critz again defeated Burns in the regularly scheduled November general election. In 2008, McCain carried this district with 49% of the vote.

• PA - District 12 from OurCampaigns.com
• Race ranking and details from CQ Politics
• Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets
• Pennsylvania 12th District Candidates debate on C-SPAN, May 5, 2010 (1:00:00)

Special election

Democratic primary

Nominee

• Mark Critz, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

• Ryan Bucchianeri, United States Navy veteran
• Ronald Mackell, United States Air Force veteran

Primary results

Republican primary

Nominee

• Tim Burns, businessman and Republican nominee in the special election

Eliminated in primary

• William Russell, 2008 Republican nominee

Primary results

Predictions

General election

District 13

Democratic incumbent Allyson Schwartz successfully ran for re-election. She defeated Republican Dee Adcock. Obama carried this district with 59% of the vote.

• PA - District 13 from OurCampaigns.com
• Race ranking and details from CQ Politics
• Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets

Democratic primary

Nominee

• Allyson Schwartz, incumbent U.S. Representative

Primary results

Republican primary

Nominee

• Dee Adcock

Eliminated in primary

• Brian Haughton
• Joshua Quinter

Primary results

Predictions

General election

District 14

Democratic incumbent Mike Doyle successfully ran for re-election. He defeated Republican Melissa Haluszczak and Green Party nominee Ed Bortz. In 2008, Doyle received 91% of the vote and Obama carried this district with 70% of the vote.

• PA - District 14 from OurCampaigns.com
• Race ranking and details from CQ Politics
• Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets

Democratic primary

Nominee

• Mike Doyle, incumbent U.S. Representative

Primary results

Republican primary

Nominee

• Melissa Haluszczak

Primary results

Predictions

General election

District 15

Republican incumbent Charlie Dent successfully ran for re-election. He defeated Democrat Bethlehem Mayor John B. Callahan and Independent Jake Towne. In 2008, Obama carried this district with 56% of the vote.

• PA - District 15 from OurCampaigns.com
• Race ranking and details from CQ Politics
• Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets

Democratic primary

Nominee

• John B. Callahan, mayor of Bethlehem

Primary results

Republican primary

Nominee

• Charlie Dent, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

• Mat Benol

Primary results

Polling

Predictions

General election

District 16

Republican incumbent Joe Pitts successfully ran for re-election. He again defeated Democratic nominee Lois Herr. In 2008, McCain carried the district with 51% of the vote.

• PA - District 16 from OurCampaigns.com
• Race ranking and details from CQ Politics
• Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets

Democratic primary

Nominee

• Lois Herr, political activist

Primary results

Republican primary

Nominee

• Joe Pitts, incumbent U.S. Representative

Primary results

Predictions

General election

District 17

Democratic incumbent Tim Holden successfully ran for re-election. He defeated Republican State Senator Dave Argall. In 2008, McCain carried this district with 51% of the vote.

• PA - District 17 from OurCampaigns.com
• Race ranking and details from CQ Politics
• Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets

Democratic primary

Nominee

• Tim Holden, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

• Sheila Dow-Ford

Primary results

Republican primary

Nominee

• Dave Argall, member of the Pennsylvania State Senate

Eliminated in primary

• Josh First
• Allen Griffith
• Frank Ryan

Primary results

Predictions

General election

District 18

Republican incumbent Tim Murphy successfully ran for re-election. He defeated Democrat Dan Connolly. In 2008, McCain carried this district with 55% of the vote.

• PA - District 18 from OurCampaigns.com
• Race ranking and details from CQ Politics
• Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets

Democratic primary

Nominee

• Dan Connolly

Primary results

Republican primary

Nominee

• Tim Murphy, incumbent U.S. Representative

Primary results

Predictions

General election

District 19

Republican incumbent Todd Platts successfully ran for re-election. He defeated Democrat Ryan Sanders and Independence Party nominee Joshua Monighan. In 2008, McCain carried this district with 56% of the vote.

• PA - District 19 from OurCampaigns.com
• Race ranking and details from CQ Politics
• Campaign contributions from OpenSecrets

Democratic primary

Nominee

• Ryan Sanders

Primary results

Republican primary

Nominee

• Todd Platts, incumbent U.S. Representative

Eliminated in primary

• Michael Smeltzer

Primary results

Predictions

General election

References

References

1. [http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/index.aspx Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives]
2. Haas, Karen L.. (June 3, 2011). "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010". [[Clerk of the United States House of Representatives.
3. "Pennsylvania Elections - 2010 General Primary (Official Returns)". [[Pennsylvania Department of State]].
4. (November 1, 2010). "The Cook Political Report – Charts – 2010 House Competitive Races". [[The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter.
5. Rothenberg Political Report. (November 1, 2010). "House Ratings". Rothenbergpoliticalreport.com.
6. [http://www.centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/articles/category/2010-house Crystal Ball], {{As of. 2010. 11. 01
7. [http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2010/house/2010_elections_house_map.html RealClearPolitics], {{As of. 2010. 11. 01
8. "2010 House Ratings Chart". CQ Politics.
9. "House Race Ratings". [[The New York Times]].
10. (2010). "2010 General Election - Representative in Congress". Pennsylvania Department of State.
11. [https://web.archive.org/web/20101009143949/http://thehill.com/house-polls/the-hill-anga-poll-week-1/122859-district-by-district-pennsylvania The Hill/ANG Alliance]
12. [https://web.archive.org/web/20101008133447/http://edisk.fandm.edu/FLI/keystone/pdf/key3CDsep10_1.pdf Franklin-Marshall]
13. [https://web.archive.org/web/20100826234202/http://www.sba-list.org/atf/cf/%7B482eea2d-175c-4e1d-a859-84d48dfd5852%7D/SBAL%20-%20PA-03%20POST-VOTE%20SURVEY%20TOPLINE%20DATA%20TO%20CLIENT%208.3.10.PDF The Polling Company]
14. [https://web.archive.org/web/20101001082208/http://www.pa2010.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/Franklin-Marshall-College-Poll-Release-Pa-8th-congressional-district09-23-10.pdf Franklin-Marshall]
15. [http://www.timesleader.com/news/Politics/Kanjorski_wins_easily__eyes_Barletta_rematch_05-19-2010.html Kanjorski wins easily; eyes Barletta rematch] {{Webarchive. link. (2012-03-08 , The Times Leader, Wilkes-Barre, PA, Timesleader.com. Retrieved on 2010-07-12.)
16. [http://www.muhlenberg.edu/pdf/main/academics/polisci/15thSept_report.pdf Morning Call/Muhlenberg] {{Webarchive. link. (2011-09-27)
17. "Pennsylvania Primary Results". Fox News.
18. "Congressional, Presidential and Political News, Blogs, Member Profiles". CQ Politics.