Pennsylvania

JPZenger

(6,819 posts) Wed Nov 7, 2012, 12:57 PM Nov 2012

Dems Pick Up 3 PA. State Senate Seats. US Rep Mark Critz Defeated in Western PA.

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2012/11/pennsylvania_election_results.html#incart_river

"Republicans also kept their majorities in both chambers of the Legislature, though Democrats managed to pick up three Senate seats, narrowing the GOP margin to 27-23.

The Senate Democrats' campaign coordinator said the results will transform business in the Capitol, arguing his Republican counterparts will need the votes of moderate members in the Philadelphia suburbs.

"This changes the entire dynamic in Harrisburg," said Sen. Daylin Leach, D-Montgomery. "Keep in mind, we passed a lot of extreme legislation. Often three or four Republicans would break away — they still had the votes to pass it. Now they're going to need virtually every Republican on every vote."

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Dems Pick Up 3 PA. State Senate Seats. US Rep Mark Critz Defeated in Western PA. (Original Post) JPZenger Nov 2012 OP

It's not much of a surprise about Critz. The Republicans expertly gerrymandered the district. blue neen Nov 2012 #1

Yes, that district was already crazy gerrymandered. Pat Riot Nov 2012 #3

Yeah, they made sure they put all of the traditionally Republican voting precincts in District 12. blue neen Nov 2012 #4

Congressional seats modrepub Nov 2012 #2

blue neen

(12,327 posts)

1. It's not much of a surprise about Critz. The Republicans expertly gerrymandered the district.

Reply to JPZenger (Original post)

Wed Nov 7, 2012, 02:48 PM

Nov 2012

They even factored in the primary, where Critz beat Altmire. They didn't want Altmire to win the primary, because he was seen as a stronger opponent to Rothfus. They actually took Altmire's hometown, where he naturally got a lot of votes, and put it in Tim Murphy's district! Voila! Critz won the primary, and the Republicans got what they wanted.

Maybe Critz would have had more of a chance if he would have acted like a true Democrat, but who knows? It's a Republican district by design.

The Republicans in Pennsylvania have little to be happy about today, and that's a very good thing. The dynamic in Harrisburg IS going to change now, in spite of all the money that ALEC and the Koch Bros. spent here.

Thanks JP, as always, for your excellent posts.

Pat Riot

(446 posts)

3. Yes, that district was already crazy gerrymandered.

Reply to blue neen (Reply #1)

Thu Nov 8, 2012, 03:24 PM

Nov 2012

Interesting about taking Altmire's home town.

IMO it's more about Critz playing more to the teabag demographic than for his base. "We're pro-life and pro-gun" was the best ad they could come up with? And if one more Democrat says "jobs from clean coal," my head is going to implode. Still, it's awful to lose the seat.

blue neen

(12,327 posts)

4. Yeah, they made sure they put all of the traditionally Republican voting precincts in District 12.

Reply to Pat Riot (Reply #3)

Thu Nov 8, 2012, 08:38 PM

Nov 2012

The Democratic precincts were put in with Mike Doyle; some in with Murphy's 18th, which the Repubs considered safe.

modrepub

(3,502 posts)

2. Congressional seats

Reply to JPZenger (Original post)

Thu Nov 8, 2012, 05:54 AM

Nov 2012

Of the 18 congressional seats, the repubs won 13 but I think if you count all the votes the Dems cast about 50% for their candidates. Not fair in my opinion and I'm a registered Repub.

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