Exciting fall
After one of the most boring elections in recent years, local residents can look forward to a complete turnabout come this fall.
In fact, the general election this November should be one of the most interesting elections in years with a host of contested races up and down the ballot.
Of course, it will all start with the presidential face featuring incumbent Democrat Barack Obama against Republican challenger Mitt Romney.
While the interest might be a little tepid at this moment, that will certainly change after the parties hold their conventions this summer, and the attack ads begin in earnest.
Obama won Pennsylvania back in 2008 and will almost certainly need to win it again to be re-elected.
Fayette County will also be interesting to watch. Back in 2008, Fayette County voted for Republican John McCain, the first time the county went for a GOP presidential candidate since it supported Richard Nixon back in 1972.
Can Obama win Fayette County this time around? If so, then that could give him a leg up on winning the state. If not, perhaps Romney could use it as a springboard to victory both across the state and nation.
The race for U.S. Senator should also be interesting. Incumbent Democrat Robert Casey Jr. would seem to be the overwhelming favorite against relatively unknown Tom Smith of Armstrong County.
However, Smith, a coal company executive, fooled the experts last Tuesday by trouncing Steve Welsh, who had the backing of Gov. Tom Corbett and the state Republican Party.
An unabashed conservative, Smith mounted a formidable campaign against Welsh and could present a strong challenge for Casey.
Again it will be interesting to see how Fayette County votes in this election. Casey garnered 78 percent of the vote in Fayette County last Tuesday, an impressive number to be sure. This is nothing new. Fayette County residents had a special affinity for Casey’s father, when he ran for governor, giving him some of his highest numbers across the state. Fayette County also went strongly for Casey when he defeated Rick Santorum back in 2006.
However, Fayette County has changed since then, backing not only McCain but Republicans Corbett and Pat Toomey in their runs for governor and the U.S. Senate two years ago.
So, can Smith ride the same wave to victory this fall. Or will Fayette County’s love affair with the Casey family continue?
There could be another race on the federal level. It seemed like Republican incumbent U.S. Bill Shuster would be a shoe-in with no opposition on either ticket for the newly configured Ninth Congressional District, which now includes all of Fayette County.
But Karen Ramsburg mounted a strong write-in campaign on the Democratic ticket at the last minute. It may not be known for another week or so till all the write-in votes are tallied to see if she succeeded in her effort. If she gets on the ballot, expect to see her campaigning a lot here as Fayette County is the only county that tilts Democratic in the ninth district.
Locally, there are four legislative races that should draw plenty of interest. The biggest contest will be in the 50th district where Democratic incumbent Bill DeWeese will try to hold off a challenge from Republican newcomer Mark Fisher.
However, DeWeese might have to do his campaigning from the confines of a prison cell. Sentenced to prison recently for election fraud, DeWeese is scheduled to begin his jail term on May 14. However, his attorney has filed paperwork to keep him out of prison until his appeals are heard.
Whether he’s in or out of prison, though, DeWeese could be in for the political fight of his life. And even if he wins, he won’t be able to take office unless his verdict is overturned on appeal before next January, a long shot at best according to many courtroom observers.
Two rematches loom on the horizon. Democrat Tim Mahoney finds himself in a battle once again with Gary Gearing, who’s running as a Republican this time around, in the 51st district.
Meanwhile, longtime Democratic incumbent Pete Daley could face a major challenge for his seat in the 49th district. Republican Richard Massafra gave Daley a scare two years ago, losing by only 1,500 votes, and he’s back for another try. It was the closest race Daley has had in his 30-year career as a legislator, and his survival could in jeopardy this election.
The fourth local legislative race pits Republican incumbent Mike Reese against Democrat Harriet Ellenberger in the 59th district, which includes portions of Westmoreland and Fayette counties.
The excitement doesn’t end there. There will be three statewide races that should draw considerable interest.
The race for state treasurer will have a local flavor with Washington County Commissioner Diana Irey Vaughn battling Democatic incumbent Robert McCord.
The contest for state attorney general will feature Democrat Kathleen Kane, who did well in Fayette, Greene and Washington counties Tuesday as she defeated former congressman Patrick Murphy for her party’s nomination. She’ll be bidding to become not only the first Democrat but also the first woman elected attorney general.
She’ll be running against Republican David Freed, who has served as the Cumberland County District Attorney since 2006.
In the other statewide race, two lawmakers, Republican John Maher of Allegheny County and Democrat Eugene DePasquale of York County are battling for auditor general.
It all adds up to one of the most fascinating elections in ages. And coming after all the apathy in the spring primary, it will most certainly be a welcome change of pace.