Pennsylvania: We may make major pickups in this state in 2006

[LynneSin]

http://www.wgal.com/news/5293966/detail.html

In the race for U.S. Senate, pollsters asked respondents to choose between incumbent Republican Sen. Rick Santorum and potential challenger Democrat Bob Casey, Jr. Fifty-one percent chose Casey and 35 percent chose Santorum.

And 57 percent of voters surveyed said they are less likely to vote for a state legislator who voted for the recent pay raise. A third said it wouldn't make a difference.

Mind you both the State Senate and House are controlled by republicans. So if this stays the way it is through the 2006 elections we could see Democrats picking up one or both branches of the PA State Congress.

Plus it's highly unlikely that Rick Santorum is going to get re-elected.

The only worry is how the pay-raise is going to affect Ed Rendell. Hopefully if Rendell runs a strong campaign with the democratic candidate for US Senate (which will probably be Bob Casey) that people will just associate both of them together and we'll keep the statehouse too!!

The good thing is if we can get back the State House in PA and hold on to it for a few years then we can undo all the damange that was done by republicans during redistricting.

[demokatgurrl]

1. Hi there, I'm from PA

and I think we'll dump Santorum AND Rep. Gerlach. Lois Murphy, who was just about unknown last year except in rabid pro-choice circles, lost to him by 6000 votes. It was the closest congressional race in the country. This time, she's gearing up early with fund raisers and lots of appearances. She is a terrific candidate and I really think she'll win. And she's going to campaign with Casey to help his sorry anti-choice ass.

[carolinalady]

5. I lived in PA for 37 of my 39 years--people who are moving there

are moving to the Penn State area which is already much more blue than the rest of central PA. Not sure that the other counties will change much, but I hope so. All of my family is still there.

[blm]

2. Lynne, I heard that alot of folks from Maryland have been moving

to Pa and especially central Pa. because of housing prices. This may make a difference in whether or not some of those red districts turn blue.

[LynneSin]

3. Yes but what part of Maryland

They have their rural redneck areas just like us!!

And I don't want to lose so many dems from Maryland that we turn them red :cry:

[blm]

4. The cities near DC. They are really becoming unaffordable for many people.

.

[DaveinMD]

6. Paul Scoles and Lois Herr

are two candidates to keep an eye on.

[jn2375]

7. Anger in PA

People here in Pa are pissed about the pay raises. They voted out a Supreme Court Judge here first time ever because of their anger. Rendall only has a 39% approval rating. This I worry about. Voters here are dying to get a chance to vote out any politician who voted for the pay raise. This includes Dems too but the good thing is that the Republicans control both houses so they have to be shaking in their shoes right now. Quotes in the papers very funny "Their time is coming, well get them".

[leyton]

8. I heard that no incumbent ever lost the PA state house.

Is this true? I am not one to confuse patterns with absolute laws of politics - but if what I heard is true, that would suggest that the power of incumbency is strong in Pennsylvania.

[jn2375]

9. Not anymore, never since it began in 1969 was a Supreme Court Justice

voted out of office. The second one narrowly escaped defeat, voters groups have formed because of the pay raise in July to
push to have all incumbents removed. The judge vote was just the beginning. Comments in the newspaper from voters says they will get them in 2006. Anger at incumbents by the polls taken has increased since July. Voters will not forget!!!!!!!!!!