Shuster wins in new district
Even with new ground to cover in the 9th Congressional District, incumbent U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster still had the edge in Tuesday’s Republican primary. With 487 of 511 precincts across the district reporting, Shuster had captured 30,690 votes, leading challengers David S. Keller (5,839 votes) and David E. Bahr (4,963 votes).
Residents in southern and eastern sections of Fayette County joined residents in Franklin, Fulton, Bedford, Huntingdon, Blair and Juniata counties and sections of Cumberland, Perry, Mifflin, Cambria, Clearfield, Indiana and Somerset counties to send their selected representative forward to meet Democratic challenger John R. Henry in the November general election. Henry ran unopposed on the Democratic ticket.
While new to Fayette County, Shuster won with 660 votes from county voters, with Keller and Bahr finishing with 190 and 184 votes, respectively.
In Somerset County, with 66 of 68 precincts reporting, Shuster held 2,869 votes, with Bahr collecting 362 and Keller 369.
Shuster was elected last May after his father, longtime U.S. Rep. Bud Shuster, announced his retirement.
Born in Allegheny County, he resides in Hollidaysburg, Blair County, with his wife and two children. Before he was elected, he worked on the family farm, then owned and operated Shuster Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep.
Shuster said that he is interested in opening an office in Fayette County, helping him get a better idea of what the needs of the area are and how best to meet them.
Thinking outside the region, he said he would continue to fight for seniors’ prescription drug coverage and to work to preserve the future of Social Security for workers. On the world stage, he supports the war on terrorism, even if it means pursuing it into Iraq.
Keller, 32, is a computer network consultant from Chambersburg, Franklin County. He worked for former Democratic U.S. Sen. Harris Wofford in 1992 and 1994, though he was still registered as a Republican at the time.
Among his campaign promises, Keller pledged to bring high-speed Internet connection to the area as an enticement for businesses.
He also advocated revolutionizing how small businesses are perceived, starting from the level of revamping wage and benefit programs for small businesses.
Bahr, 63, of Greene Township, Franklin County, is a retired government worker who once worked for the Department of the Army. Due to his strong military ties, Bahr said he is a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment and is in support of increasing the authority and vested power in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
He also supports an individual’s right to choose how to invest a portion of paid-in Social Security as a method to preserve the system.