By Keegan Gibson, Managing Editor

Kathy Dahlkemper likely won’t seek a rematch against Rep. Mike Kelly, the former Congresswoman told Erie’s WICU12. She cited the uncertainty of redistricting.

“I find it a concern that they’re pushing the district so far south to the Pittsburgh area that I think we may lose the ability to have our Member of Congress from here in Erie County, which I think is so important to the future of our region and the future of Erie County to have that federal legislator residing here, because obviously they know the area well,” Dahlkemper told NBC’s Erie affiliate.

Sources indicate that the redistricting process is likely to yield a far more conservative district than the one Dahlkemper represented from 2009 to 2011. Kelly’s district is slated to absorb the entirety of his native Butler County.

Dahlkemper’s decision, along with the underlying geography of the district, make it seem increasingly unlikely that PA-3 will be among the state’s more competitive districts this cycle.

From the article:

Dahlkemper says if anyone was to beat Kelly, 2012 would be the year to do it. She says there is a definite anti-Congress attitude among voters right now. She says voters may want to elect someone who has never served in Congress before.  But, if that person is from Erie, they would still have to overcome the obstacle that may be created by redistricting.

If Dahlkemper decides not to run, that would leave Erie attorney Ron DiNicola as the lone Democrat that has expressed interest in the seat. He has not yet decided if he will, indeed, run.