Good morning politicos. After a heck of a night, 2 incumbent congressmen and 5 incumbent state lawmakers lost their primaries. Read about all the action and learn the score in today’s Buzz.
Smith Wins in a Rout: Tom Smith scored a relatively easy win Tuesday, with Sam Rohrer in a distant second and Steve Welch in third. His victory embarrasses the PAGOP – and Gov. Tom Corbett – who backed Welch. Smith vastly outspent his opponents, almost 3 times all of them combined.
Kane Proves Able: Wins Dem AG Nom: Kathleen Kane overcame the strength of the entrenched support of SEPA for Patrick Murphy to win the nomination of her party for Attorney General. In a speech just before midnight, Patrick Murphy conceded to Kathleen Kane.
Critz Pulls Off The Upset in PA-12: Aided by strong momentum and support from organized labor over the finals days before the election, Rep. Mark Critz has won the Democratic primary over fellow incumbent Jason Altmire in the redrawn 12th Congressional District.
Matt Cartwright Knocks Off Dean of Pa. Congressional Delegation: Tim Holden, PA’s longest-serving member of Congress, was defeated by Democratic challenger Matt Cartwright.
Scott Perry Wins In PA-4 By Surprising Margin: State Rep. Scott Perry won the GOP nomination to replace retiring Rep. Todd Platts in the 4th Congressional District, taking 54 percent of the vote in a highly competitive seven-way primary field.
Five Incumbents Lose: State House and State Senate Election Recap: The biggest headline of the night was the almost unseating of Speaker of the House Sam Smith in his Punxsutawney based legislative district. He was running against Chris Dush, completely unknown to the Pa. establishment until this evening. In the end, Speaker Smith won by 458 votes out of the 6,381 votes cast in the race.
Dems Net 1 Seat in State House Specials: Democrats added net one to their caucus on Tuesday. Well, maybe net 1/2. Democrat Ed Neilson captured the seat of former Rep., now Philly Councilman, Denny O’Brien (R-169). He defeated long time O’Brien aide, Republican Dave Kralle. While in Harrisburg, O’Brien voted with Democrats often.
Tim Murphy Fends Off Tea Party Challenger: Rep. Tim Murphy has won his primary against challenger, Evan Feinberg. With 88 percent of precincts reporting, Feinberg trailed Murphy by 26 percent. Murphy held his own at 63.2 percent of the vote, while Feinberg won only 36.8 percent.
Daughtery, Stilp Win Congressional Primaries: Democrat Gene Stilp overcame Wilkes-Barre attorney, Bill Vinsko, in Pennsylvania’s 11th Congressional District’s Democratic Primary today. In addition, Democrat Rick Daugherty was also victorious over opponent Jackson Eaton in the primary for the 15th Congressional District.
DeWeese Sentenced To 30-60 Months In Prison: DeWeese got 30 to 60 months in state prison for his role in the Bonusgate scandal. He resigned from the state House at noon today. He gave his farewell speech last week.
Maher Earns Republican Nod for Auditor General: Maher earned 66 percent of the vote and will face Eugene DePasquale, a state representative from York County who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary, in the general election this November.
National:
USA Today: Romney sweeps five Northeast primaries
USA Today: Gingrich plans to ‘realistically’ review campaign
Politico: Rick Santorum’s almost, sort-of endorsement of Romney
The Hill: Critz defeats Altmire in Dem member matchup
The Caucus: Five-term Democrat Holden loses in Pennsylvania primary
Statewide:
PA Independent: Incumbents fall in PA House, congressional races
Capitol Ideas: Kane apparent winner in Democrat AG’s race
Capitolwire: House Democrats pick up one seat in six special elections
Philadelphia:
Inquirer: DeWeese wins an election, draws a prison sentence
Inquirer: Smith wins GOP Senate nod
Inquirer: Voters show off their IDs, or don’t
Philly Clout: It’s curtains for longtime state Rep. Babette Josephs
Philly Now: 2012 Philly primary election results
Fox Philadelphia: Romney completes 5-state primary sweep
Fox Philadelphia: Santorum throws support behind Romney
Fox Philadelphia: Smith wins 5-way GOP race to face Casey in November
CBS Philadelphia: Pennsylvania voters asked to show ID cards as state prepares for new law WHYY Newsworks: Rep. DeLissio wins Democratic primary in the 194th
SEPA:
Pottstown Mercy: Light local turnout makes for ho-hum primary
Pottstown Mercy: Few local problems reported with voter ID law roll-out
phillyBurbs.com: Chapman wins primary for chance to take on Santarsiero
Intelligencer: Dean wins special election for 153rd state House seat
AP: Five incumbent PA state reps lose primaries – Elyse
Bucks Local News: Romney glides to GOP victory in Pennsylvania and Bucks, Patrick Murphy loses bid for AG, Chapman wins GOP nod on 31st District – Elyse
Daily Local: Welch places 3rd in GOP race for Senate nominee – Elyse
Daily Local: Corbin tops Muller to gain GOP nomination in 155th – Elyse
Daily Local: Milne faces off against E. Whiteland business owner in 167th primary – Elyse
Daily Local: Binder tops Jones in 156th Democratic primary – Elyse
Pittsburgh:
Early Returns: Underdog Critz defeats Altmire
Lehigh Valley:
Morning Call: Daughety to face Congressman Charlie Dent
Morning Call: Kane wins Democratic nomination for Pennsylvania AG
Morning Call: Incumbent Tim Holden loses in primary
Reading Eagle: Rohrer campaign falls short
Reading Eagle: Voters decide auditor in Reading must be CPA
Reading Eagle: Mackenzie defeats Slattery in 134th District race
Reading Eagle: Rozzi wins Democratic nod for 126th HD Seat
Reading Eagle: Argall holds off challenger in GOP state senate primary
Reading Eagle: Races in 5 Berks State House districts uncontested
WFMZ: Smith to take on Casey for U.S. Senate seat
Express Times: Robert Freeman, Joe Emrick and other among those who ran unopposed in Pa. primary
NEPA:
Times Tribune: Cartwright ousts Holden; Stilp grabs nomination
Times Tribune: Voter ID law gets dry run Tuesday
Pittston Politics: Cartwright wins big, “No soup for you!”
Standard Speaker: Rabenold wins Dem nod in the 122nd
Pocono Record: Few problems reported with voter ID in Monroe County
South Central:
AP: Dems choose Perkinson to face Perry
AP: Casey beats little-known challenger in Dem primary
AP: Rep. Critz defeats Altmire in redrawn Pa. district
AP: Mitt Romney sweeps today’s GOP primaries
Harrisburg Patriot News: Sen. Pat Vance wins party nomination
Harrisburg Patriot News: State Rep. Rosemarie Swanger gets GOP nod in 102nd State House district
Harrisburg Patriot News: John Maher wins GOP nomination for auditor general
York Daily Record: Grove holds nomination for the 196th state House seat
York Daily Record: It’s Perry vs. Perkinson in 4th congressional district
York Dispatch: Reilly concedes to Perry in congressional race
York Dispatch: 47th House: Democrat Speed tops Richardson, to face Gillespsie
Lebanon Daily News: 5 incumbent Pa. reps lose primaries
Lebanon Daily News: Swanger easily wins in 102nd
Chambersburg Public Opinion: Every vote counted: Election tallies in Franklin County with 75 of 75 precincts reporting
Lancaster Intelligencer: GOP taps Fee in 37th as Romney wins in Pa.
North by Northwest:
Erie Times-News: Wiley, Anderson to vie for state Senate seat in 49th District
Erie Times-News: Owen defeats Smith in 3rd District race
Erie Times-News: Race-by-race results for Erie County
Erie Times-News: Brooks, unopposed, cruises to 17th state district nomination
Erie Times-News: Hutchinson looks to replace White as state Senator
Opinions:
Citizens Voice: An open primary
Pottstown Mercy: Voter ID gets lots of love on PA primary test run
Daily Local: Penn State trustees election more interesting than the primary