Category Archives: PoliticsPA Reports

Steve Urban Confirms To PoliticsPA That He Will Challenge Tim Holden In The Democratic Primary

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By Ben Hulac, Contributing Writer

Steve Urban, a councilman for Luzerne County, confirmed with PoliticsPA Thursday that he is circulating petitions to run for U.S. Congress. He would be representing the recently redistricted PA-17.

PoliticsPA previously reported that Steve was circulating petitions. We reported then that if Urban enters the race, it would be a big boon to Holden. He would likely split the Lackawanna-Luzerne bloc that is key to Cartwright’s campaign.

Urban, 59, would face Rep. Tim Holden, the number two most senior Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee. Holden most recently made national headlines when he withdrew support for the Stop Online Piracy Act.  

There is currently another Democrat in addition to Rep. Holden in the race. Moosic-based attorney Matt Cartwright jumped into the race for the 17th Congressional District, he formally declared his candidacy on Jan. 24.

When asked about the most important issues for the PA-17 campaign, and to the region he would be representing if elected, Urban cited the economy, local businesses and regional growth —all part of the same problem in one way or another.

Stephen is currently working in Luzerne County, but spent 24 years in the U.S. Army, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He served in the Vietnam and Persian Gulf Wars, and also was deployed in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Iraq. More recently, Urban worked at the Pentagon in Washington D.C. for four and a half years.

Urban had the following to say about Matt Cartwright. “I don’t think he’s ever run for public office before,” he said. When asked about he’s outlook on the race and how he felt he would fare, Urban said: “You’ve always got to run like you’re behind in the race.”

“I know the district well,” said the Wilkes-Barre resident. “People in the area know my name from fighting corruption in Luzerne County.”

Breaking: Supreme Court Redistricting Ruling: No Guidance for Candidates

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By Keegan Gibson, Managing Editor and Geoff Middleberg, Deputy Editor

Prospective candidates, it’s not over yet. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court rendered its much-anticipated redistricting ruling Friday afternoon but declined to lay out a specific way forward for the 2012 elections.

The Court cited an excess in municipal divisions as its chief complaint with the plan.

“We are not in a position to predict when the LRC will complete its task of developing a new final redistricting plan that complies with law, nor when such a new plan can become final and have force of law,” the Court ruled. “Any issues respecting deferring the state legislative primary, or scheduling special elections, etc., are, in the first instance, the concern and province of the political branches. Such questions have not been briefed and presented to this Court.”

The court ruled last week 4-3 to remand the map back to the Legislative Reapportionment Commission.

Lawmakers are still absorbing the decision, but prior to the ruling Republicans were intent in enacting the new lines prior to the 2012 primary. The 2001 lines would negate the GOP’s efforts to shore up incumbents via redistricting. On the legal side, Republicans argue that the vast shift in population since 2001 means that those lines would violate constitutional provisions one man, one vote. Additionally, Latino groups have argued that the 2001 are illegal on the grounds that they do not reflect minority populations in Pa.

Democrats, on the other hand, say there is no way for the LRC to resubmit a map and put it forward for a 30 day review period in time for the April 24 primary, and are pushing for the 2001 lines.

A split between the state and federal primaries is unlikely, indicated one Republican, but said a measure to delay the primary would require a relatively simple change to the election code.

More about the decision

The ruling follows more than a week of confusion from lawmakers and prospective candidates. But the Court was direct in pointing the blame at the Legislative Reapportionment Commission which, despite technological advancements, the 2011 Commission took weeks longer than previous ones. (23 days longer than 2001, 27 days longer than 1991).

As to why this plan passed the muster as opposed to the 2001 plan, which was also challenged but Castille voted to uphold, the court said it was a matter of the fact that the 2001 challenges were piecemeal. The challenges this year, namely than by citizen activist Amanda Holt, challenged the plan as a whole.

The problem was not, as some suspected, the LRC’s decision to move districts from some parts of the state to others.

Finally, the LRC needn’t prioritize population equality at the expense of other considerations, the Court said.

“Embrace contiguity, compactness, and the integrity of political subdivisions, no less than the command to create legislative districts as nearly equal in population as ‘practicable.’”

Casey Votes Against Toomey Earmark Ban; Both Criticize NDIC Closing

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By Ben Griffiths and Keegan Gibson

Pennsylvania’s Senate delegation split Thursday, with one Senator voting against the other’s legislation.

The Earmark Elimination Act of 2011, introduced by Sen. Pat Toomey and Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO), was voted down 59-40 in the Senate. Among those opposed: Sen. Bob Casey.

The bill would effectively finish off the practice of earmarking. Earmarks, the allocation of federal money for specific home-front projects and organizations often buried deep in congressional bills, have been under a moratorium for over a year now.

Casey’s office said he supports a ban on earmarks – the one currently in place.

“Senator Casey supports the earmark ban that has been in effect for the current Congress and he is pleased that the ban is being extended through next year,” said spokesman Larry Smar.  “He has consistently supported a number of measures to clean up the process to make it more transparent and accountable to taxpayers.”

But one of Casey’s prospective Republican opponents, Steve Welch, blasted him for opposing Toomey’s legislation – and a similar measure back in 2010.

“This shows once again how addicted Bob Casey has become to Washington’s corrupt culture of wasteful spending,” Welch said in a statement. “If Casey is unwilling to vote against the most outrageous, the most wasteful, and the most secretive type of Washington spending, then there is no hope that he will ever do what’s necessary to tackle our $15 trillion national debt.”

NDIC Closing

Back in Pa., where the rhetoric on spending cuts meets the road, both Casey and Toomey criticized a decision by the Department of Justice to close the National Drug Intelligence Center in Johnstown. While not an earmark, many critics of government spending have characterized the NDIC as a pork barrel project. Supporters have said it serves a valuable purpose and means 180 jobs for the area. It was a casualty of Republican-backed spending cuts in November.

“The NDIC has played a crucial role in fighting drug trafficking and gang violence in Pennsylvania and throughout the nation,” said Casey in a statement. “Closing the facility will hurt jobs and the economy throughout the region in addition to hampering the efforts of local law enforcement.”

Early into his term, Toomey departed from conservative orthodoxy on NDIC. He echoed Casey’s concerns.

“It is extremely disappointing that the Obama administration has decided to shut down the National Drug Intelligence Center in Johnstown,” said Toomey in a statement. “As I have repeatedly told Justice Department officials, the NDIC serves an essential function and maintaining its operations in Johnstown is better for taxpayers than relocating those operations elsewhere. Among other reasons, it is also why I voted against the appropriations bill last November that enabled this administration to wind down the NDIC.”

Welch declined to comment on the NDIC.

Will Jason Altmire Retire? Asks Semi-Coherent NRCC Release

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By Keegan Gibson, Managing Editor

We’re not really sure what to make of this. Is the NRCC rooting for Mark Critz?

“Will Jason Altmire follow Shuler’s lead and just retire now rather than face the embarrassment of being unelected in the primary?” The release asks.

Altmire has $852,292.22 on hand. His prospective GOP opponent Keith Rothfus, who he defeated in the Republican wave year of 2010, has $196,086.20 on hand.

He’s facing fellow Democrat Mark Critz in the primary. They share a career party loyalty vote rating in the neighborhood of 80 percent.

Update 2:00pm: Altmire’s CM Angela Ruslander responsed to the NRCC release.

“The message is clear: the NRCC believes they can beat Mark Critz. Unfortunately for them, the NRCC’s wishful thinking is all for naught. With a 16-point lead in the polls and a nearly two-to-one cash advantage, Jason Altmire is going to win the primary. Having failed 3 times to beat Altmire in a Republican-leaning district, it should come as no surprise that the NRCC is openly rooting for Critz.”

Update 4:30pm: Before the Altmire camp runs too far away with the release, it is fair to note that he is an official, card-carrying member of the Blue Dog Coalition. Critz is not. He voted against Nancy Pelosi for Speaker of the House:

“Rep. Jason Altmire of Pennsylvania was the first Democrat to cast his vote against Pelosi, and did so loudly and with a defiant expression, adding an element of suspense to the usually boring roll call vote for speaker and minority leader, which goes member by member, calling the name of all 435 lawmakers.”

Here’s the whole release image included:

Happy Friday!

Heading into the weekend, consider the following.

Yesterday, Congressman Health Shuler in North Carolina became the latest “Blue Dog” Democrat to announce his retirement, a move that his own colleague Congressman Kurt Schrader described as a “crushing blow” to the vulnerable group.

The Blue Dogs’ ranks are rapidly diminishing, as voters in their districts realize they have been fraudulently campaigning as moderates only to turn their backs on constituents by voting with Nancy Pelosi and Barack Obama back in D.C.

Today’s Roll Call lays out how bad things are for the Blue Dogs: “The once-mighty fiscally conservative group was a thorn in the side of Democratic leaders while the party was in the majority following the 2006 elections, but the Blue Dogs lost scores of members to the bruising 2010 midterms, a trend that will continue as a wave of retirements has hit them.”

So, will Jason Altmire follow Shuler’s lead and just retire now rather than face the embarrassment of being unelected in the primary?

“Altmire has played a game of wag-the-dog for too long, scamming voters by campaigning as a moderate and then rolling over for Obama back in Washington. Voters need a watchdog, not a lapdog. It’s time for Altmire to follow the lead of his Blue Dog colleagues and retire before he finds himself in the doghouse come primary day.” – NRCC spokesman Nat Sillin

2011 Congressional Fundraising Winners and Losers

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By Danielle Ardner, Contributing Writer

The Q4 numbers are in. Who’s on track and who needs to catch up? We break down the 2011 fundraising of every incumbent member of Congress and challenger in Pa.

Winners:

Pat Meehan. A million dollars on hand and no serious challenger in sight. Not too shabby.

Allyson Schwartz. The ultimate team player for the DCCC, Schwartz continues to bring in the bucks.

Manan Trivedi. The challenger has big ground to cover against Jim Gerlach, but he has done very well thus far – thanks in large part on his cultivation of Indian American donors.

Tim Murphy. He’s never had a tough primary or general. If he maintains his million dollar edge, that trend will continue.

Losers:

Mark Critz. The incumbent has lots of new constituents to introduce himself too, but he’s off to a slow start in the cash department – he trails Jason Altmire by over $350K.

Tim Holden. All of a sudden he has a serious primary race. His campaign says its on track to win in April, but you better believe that fundraising is a top priority.

Evan Feinberg. He’s been getting tons of earned media, but he’s facing a yawning gap when it comes to fundraising. An uphill climb is a given when primarying an incumbent, but he’s at a million dollar disadvantage.

Mike Kelly. No freshman Republican, who rode the GOP tide of 2010, should end a quarter barely breaking even. Kelly barely avoided a net loss in Q4. He can expect a call from the NRCC.

Here’s the full list. Incumbents are ranked by total raised in 4th quarter. Challengers paired with incumbents. Note: challengers who declared since the new year did not file fundraising reports.

Allyson Schwartz (D-13, Montgomery) leads the way. In 2011, she raised $1,500,201.92. Schwartz’s cash on hand is $2,309,896.07. She raised a total of $385,124.99 in the 4th quarter.

Pat Meehan (R-7, Delaware) follows closely behind Schwartz with his total 2011 funds raised at $1,297,825.65. Meehan’s cash on hand comes out to $969,413.17. He managed to raise a total of $312,725.00 in the 4th quarter.

Jason Altmire (D-4/12, Allegheny) raised $1,138,136.83 in 2011. Altmire’s cash on hand is $852,292.22. From October through the end of December, Altmire raised $180,745.00.

Challenger: Keith Rothfus, R-Allegheny is the sole Republican in the race to face the winner of the Altmire-Critz primary. He raised $240,385.00 in 2011. $56,005.00 was raised in the 4th quarter. Rothfus holds $196,086.20 on hand.

Mike Fitzpatrick (R-8, Bucks) raised $1,099,692.91 in 2011. $248,040.00 of the total was raised in the 4th quarter. Fitzpatrick’s cash on hand is $678,482.94.

Jim Gerlach (R-6, Chester) raised a total of $1,057,184.57 in 2011. In the 4th quarter alone, Gerlach raised $278,182.00. His total cash on hand is $600,602.22.

Challenger: Gerlach’s Democratic opponent Manan Trivedi, D-Berks raised $214,984.20 in 2011. In the 4th quarter, $112,435.30 was raised. Trivedi has $212,731.64 currently in cash on hand.

Tim Murphy (R-18, Allegheny) brought in $940,587.90 in total fundraising in 2011. Murphy raised $263,525.00 in the 4th quarter. He has $1,044,683.82 at his fingertips.

Challenger: Murphy’s primary opponent Evan Feinberg, has raised $50,005.12 in 2011 (The same amount for the 4th quarter). Feinberg currently has $40,049.28 cash on hand.

Mark Critz (D-12, Cambria) raised $869,088.25 in 2011. $130,635.41 was raised in the 4th quarter. Critz has $465,496.14 at hand.

Charlie Dent (R-15, Lehigh) raised $705,666.04 in 2011. His 4th quarter funds totaled out to $186,290.00. Dent has $353,707.94 cash on hand.

Challenger: Dent’s Democratic opponent Jackson Eaton raised $94,569.84 in 2011 (the same amount for the 4th quarter). Eaton has $90,628.39 cash on hand.

Joe Pitts (R-16, Chester) raised $649,718.70 in 2011. $168,299.90 was raised in the 4th quarter. Pitts has $407,094.82 on hand.

Lou Barletta (R-11, Luzerne) raised $633,780.76 in 2011. In the 4th quarter, Barletta brought in $146,378.98. He has $269,498.39 cash on hand.

Challenger: Barletta’s prospective Democratic opponent Bill Vinsko, D-Luzerne raised $105,546.91 in 2011. $20,574.75 was raised in the 4th quarter. He has $52,786.21 on hand.

Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (R-5, Centre) raised a total of $622,063.61 in 2011. $118,970.77 was raised in the 4th quarter. Thompson has $160,266.64 on hand.

Bill Shuster (R-9, Blair) raised $617,270.27 in 2011. In the 4th quarter, $229,069.56 was raised. Shuster has $367,189.10 cash on hand.

Mike Kelly (R-3, Butler) raised $497,725.36 in 2011. $103,231.84 was raised in the 4th quarter. Kelly’s cash on hand is $226,619.96.

Tim Holden (D-17, Schuylkill) raised $480,190.73 in 2011. $99,885.68 was raised from October to the end of December. Holden holds $337,274.14 cash on hand.

Tom Marino (R-10, Lycoming) raised $377,758.57 in 2011. In the 4th quarter, Marino raised $68,717.76. Marino’s total cash on hand is $194,781.74.

Mike Doyle (D-14, Allegheny) raised $369,159.00 in 2011. $114,039.00 was raised in the 4th quarter. Doyle currently has $271,380.29 cash on hand.

Bob Brady (D-1, Philadelphia) raised $276,525.00 in 2011. Brady raised $102,300.00 in the 4th quarter. His cash on hand is $758,355.26.

Challenger: Brady’s Democratic opponent Jimmie Moore raised $64,657.06 in 2011. In the 4th quarter, Moore was able to raise $27,937.06. Moore has a mere $3,977.89 cash on hand.

Finally, Chaka Fattah (D-2, Philadelphia), raised $261,345.84 in 2011. $69,775.00 was raised in the 4th quarter. Fattah’s total cash on hand is $120,714.57.

Keegan Gibson contributed to this report.

Pro-Social Security & Medicare Org Endorses Critz

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By Tara Jerry, Contributing Writer

It may not mean much in the way of contributions or grassroots muscle, but it’s sure to look good on campaign literature and ads.

In the intensifying Democratic primary race for the new 12th congressional district, the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM) endorsed Rep. Mark Critz, his campaign announced Thursday.

Rep. Critz is battling Rep. Jason Altmire in the upcoming primary after their districts were combined following redistricting last year.  The 12th district includes the two counties – Beaver and Westmoreland – with the highest enrollment in Medicare Advantage in the nation.

“Protecting and strengthening Social Security and Medicare has been a top priority for me in Congress and this endorsement demonstrates that I am the only candidate in this race who is fully committed to protecting these benefits for seniors and future generations,” Critz said in a statement. “I will continue to stand up to those in Congress who would destroy these vital programs through risky schemes like privatization and gimmicky constitutional amendments.”

The statement released by the Critz campaign also notes that he “opposed the Republican Balanced Budget Amendment that would have led to massive cuts in Social Security and Medicare” while his opponent, Rep. Altmire, voted for the amendment.

The endorsement comes just a few weeks after Critz picked up huge endorsements from the United Steelworkers Union, United Mine Workers, and the Laborers District Council of Western PA.

These endorsements are a major boost for the Critz campaign following the recent release of fourth quarter fundraising numbers for 2011:  Rep. Altmire reported $386,796 more cash on hand at the end of the year than Rep. Critz.  In addition, internal polling a few weeks ago from the Altmire campaign showed a 16-point advantage over Rep. Critz.

$250K for Fitzpatrick in Q4

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By Ben Griffiths and Keegan Gibson

Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick begins 2012 with $678,000 on hand, according to his year-end report with the FEC.

With the deadline to submit the financial report looming, Fitzpatrick disclosed that his campaign took in a sizable $248K in the fourth quarter of the 2011 election cycle. All told, the incumbent representing Bucks County took in $1,100,000 last year.

“We will raise sufficient resources to securely win this seat,” Fitzpatrick told PoliticsPA.

Kathryn Boockvar, a Democratic attorney who ran for Pa. Commonwealth Court in 2011, announced she would be challenging Fitzpatrick. Having just filed her candidacy, she did not file an FEC report.

“There would be a robust discussion on how to get people back to work,” Fitzpatrick said of Boockvar. “And what appears to be a very clear distinction between my pro-growth economic policy and her lack of record, lack of leadership, and lack of experience on job creation.”

He also boasted of his independent record; he’s voted with the Republican party 81 percent of the time so far in the 112th Congress, according to the Washington Post Votes Database. It’s the lowest of any Pa. Republican, and the sixth-lowest of the 244 Republicans in the U.S. House.

Fitzpatrick has term limited himself through 2016.

State Rep. Saccone Introduces Legislation to Impose Term Limits

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By Elyse Clonan, Contributing Writer

State Rep. Rick Saccone of Alleghney/Washington has announced the introduction of House Bill 2160, which proposes to impose term limits on members of the General Assembly.

“Term limits have been and will remain a major priority of my reform agenda,” said Saccone, a freshman.

House Bill 2160 would limit elected Representatives to the Pennsylvania General Assembly to a combined total of 12 years in office, including combined House and Senate service.

Correction: Due to a typo, the original version of this story cited a 21 year term limit, rather than 12.

“This legislation…will help to ensure that Pennsylvania’s legislature is always refreshed..” Saccone said in a press release issued Wednesday.  “Out founders intended for public service in any legislative body to be temporary, limited, and never a permanent career.  House Bill 2160 will ensure that these great intentions are finally realized.”

Kelly’s Q4: Net Loss of $13K

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By Danielle Ardner, Contributing Writer

Update: The Kelly campaign says it finished Q4 in positive territory. A spokesperson cited a clerical error and said the campaign would file an amendment to its FEC report Friday.

Erie – U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly of Butler County released his fourth quarter fundraising numbers Tuesday. In October 2011, Kelly’s cash on hand was $239,847.27. At the end of December, Kelly reportedly had $226,610.96, a $13,236.31 net loss.

Kelly’s total fourth quarter haul was slightly above $100,000. His biggest contributor was the International Union of Operating Engineers, located in Pittsburgh.

The total disbursements, including operating expenditures, transfers to other authorized committees, loan repayments, and refunds of contributions to individuals and political party committees, added up to $117,189.47.

His disbursements were standard for the most part, but included a $12,000 check to Kelly himself to repay loans he’d made to the campaign in 2010. It also included a $16,000 bonus to the Bellwether Consulting Group as a, “Fundraising Bonus for Meeting Goal.”

He may not need too big of a war chest. In addition to a more reliably Republican district which he acquired as a result of redistricting, Kelly will enjoy the benefits of a crowded Democratic primary field.

Democrat Missa Eaton, an assistant professor of psychology at Penn State Shenango announced her bid for Kelly’s seat January 19th.

“I will be an independent voice for Western Pennsylvania, standing up to those who would end Medicare as we know it or block middle class tax breaks while fighting to protect tax cuts for Big Oil and billionaires,” Eaton said.

On the 26th, Lawyer George Schroeck announced his intention to displace Kelly from Congress. Schroeck has been practicing law in Erie for 40 years and, according to the Erie Times-News, Schroeck plans to “help the United States of America get back on its feet.”

“As a Democrat in the House, I would be a voice for the people,” Schroeck said. “I would help the president make the changes our country needs.”

February 1st brought yet another Dem who plans to extract Kelly from his seat: Mel Marin. An Erie native, Marin has been in the headlines for suing local government officials, police departments, and for running against Kathy Dahlkemper in 2010, earning 27 percent of the vote in that race.

Marin holds some stridently conservative views. The Harold of Sharon, PA quoted his flier which states that Americans have killed 40 million people “by legalizing genocide, calling it abortion” and “Republicans forced Medicare to kill 20 million by pushing seniors into ‘hospice.’”

“An entire generation will die of AIDS if we do not stop the same-sex campaign in adoptions and schools,” Marin said.

Big promises come from both Eaton and Schroeck, in hopes to uproot the Republican freshman incumbent. Marin, on the other hand, seeks to impose strict traditionalistic views. The 3rd District is heating up.

Keegan Gibson contributed to this report.

PA Dems, Schwartz, Ding Romney on Health Care

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By Elyse Clonan, Contributing Writer

As Republicans choose their nominee, Democrats from DC to Pa. haven’t taken their eye off the ball: Mitt Romney. Pa. Dems organized a conference call Thursday afternoon to critique Romney’s health care and entitlement program policies.

Pennsylvania seniors need to be fully aware of the threat Mitt Romney’s policies could pose to the American health care system, Pennsylvania Democratic Chairman Jim Burn argued in a press conference call on Monday afternoon.

The call also featured Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz (D-Montgomery), who has worked on a number of health care issues in Washington.

“Given that Pennsylvania is home to the second-largest senior population behind Florida,” Burns said, “the Congresswoman and I were both disturbed by Mitt Romney’s pandering in Florida in this week as he campaigned for President, telling seniors that he would protect Medicare while we all know that his policies would dismantle the program and turn it into a voucher system.”

Burn asserted that Romney “is saying anything he can to get elected” by “promising that America will always take care of its senior citizens.” He didn’t hesitate to point out Romney’s affiliation with Damon Corporation, a company which plead guilty to $25 million in Medicare fraud (an offense which took place while Romney sat on the company’s board of directors) and was ultimately ordered to pay a fine of $119 million.

Schwartz, a member of the Budget committee, argued that Romney’s proposed changes to the Medicare system would “end Medicare as we know it for seniors in Pennsylvania and across this country” by ending guaranteed benefits in favor of a voucher system, which would in turn mandate senior citizens to look for medical coverage on their own.

“We should be working to protect and strengthen Medicare now and into the future,” Schwartz said.