2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania

The 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania were held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, to elect the 18 U.S. Representatives from the state of Pennsylvania, a loss of one seat following the 2010 United States Census. The elections coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including a quadrennial presidential election and an election to the U.S. Senate. Primary elections were held Tuesday, April 24.

2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania
November 6, 2012 (2012-11-06)
All 18 Pennsylvania seats to the United States House of Representatives
  Majority party Minority party
 
Party Republican Democratic
Last election 12 7
Seats won 13 5
Seat change 1 2
Popular vote 2,710,070 2,793,538
Percentage 48.77% 50.28%
Swing 2.64% 2.71%
Elections in Pennsylvania
Federal government
U.S. President
U.S. Senate
Class One
Class Three
U.S. House of Representatives
State government
Governor
Lieutenant Governor
Attorney General
Auditor General
State Treasurer
State Senate
State House Elections
Elections by year
State elections
Philadelphia
Mayoral elections
City Council elections
Other municipal elections
Pittsburgh
Mayors
Lancaster
Mayors
Allentown
Mayors
Harrisburg
Mayors

Redistricting

Republicans control redistricting in Pennsylvania, which lost one seat in reapportionment.[1] A map released on December 13, 2011, effectively merged the 4th and 12th congressional districts, represented by Democrats Jason Altmire and Mark Critz.[2] The map was passed by the Pennsylvania Senate.[3]

Overview
United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania, 2012[4][5]
Party Votes Percentage Seats Before Seats After +/–
Democratic 2,793,538 50.28% 7 5 -2
Republican 2,710,070 48.77% 12 13 +1
Libertarian 6,210 00.11% 0 0 -
Independent 41,358 00.74% 0 0 -
Bednarski for Congress 5,154 00.09% 0 0 -
Totals 5,556,330 100.00% 19 18 —

District 1

Pennsylvania's 1st congressional district has been represented by Democrat Bob Brady since 1998.

Candidates
  • Bob Brady, incumbent

Withdrew

Primary results
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bob Brady (incumbent) 42,744 100.0
Total votes 42,744 100.0

Candidates
  • John Featherman, realtor and former candidate for mayor of Philadelphia[9]

Primary results
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Featherman 10,288 100.0
Total votes 10,288 100.0

Results
Pennsylvania's 1st congressional district, 2012[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bob Brady (incumbent) 235,394 85.0
Republican John Featherman 41,708 15.0
Total votes 277,102 100.0
Democratic hold

District 2

Pennsylvania's 2nd congressional district has been represented by Democrat Chaka Fattah since 1995. He ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. Robert Allen Mansfield, Jr. ran unopposed in the Republican primary. Independent candidate James Foster also ran creating a three-way race.

Primary results
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Chaka Fattah (incumbent) 87,620 100.0
Total votes 87,620 100.0

Primary results
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Robert Allen Mansfield, Jr. 5,562 100.0
Total votes 5,562 100.0

Results
Pennsylvania's 2nd congressional district, 2012[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Chaka Fattah (incumbent) 318,176 89.3
Republican Robert Mansfield 33,381 9.4
Independent James Foster 4,829 1.3
Total votes 356,386 100.0
Democratic hold

District 3

Pennsylvania's 3rd congressional district has been represented by Republican Mike Kelly since January 2011. He ran unopposed in the Republican primary.

Candidates

Disqualified
  • Mel Marin
  • George Schroeck[10]

Declined

Primary results
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Missa Eaton 28,355 100.0
Total votes 28,355 100.0

Primary results
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mike Kelly (incumbent) 46,382 100.0
Total votes 46,382 100.0

Results
Pennsylvania's 3rd congressional district, 2012[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mike Kelly (incumbent) 165,826 54.8
Democratic Missa Eaton 123,933 41.0
Independent Steven Porter 12,755 4.2
Total votes 302,514 100.0
Republican hold

District 4

Republican Todd Platts, who has represented Pennsylvania's 19th congressional district since 2001 and had been expected to seek re-election in the new 4th district, will not seek re-election.

Candidates

Declined

Primary results
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Harry Perkinson 14,188 56.0
Democratic Ken Lee 11,134 44.0
Total votes 25,322 100.0

Candidates

Declined

Primary results
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Scott Perry 34,881 53.5
Republican Christopher Reilly 12,143 18.6
Republican Sean Summers 9,316 14.3
Republican Theodore Waga 3,086 4.7
Republican Eric Robert Martin 2,159 3.3
Republican Mark Swomley 2,150 3.3
Republican Kevin Downs 1,451 2.2
Total votes 65,186 100.0

Results
Pennsylvania's 4th congressional district, 2012[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Scott Perry 181,603 59.8
Democratic Harry Perkinson 104,643 34.4
Independent Wayne Wolff 11,524 3.8
Libertarian Mike Koffenberger 6,210 2.0
Total votes 303,980 100.0
Republican gain from Democratic

District 5

Pennsylvania's 5th congressional district is currently represented by Republican Glenn Thompson, who was first elected in 2008.

Candidates

Primary results
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Charles Dumas 25,252 100.0
Total votes 25,252 100.0

Primary results
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Glenn Thompson (incumbent) 49,941 100.0
Total votes 49,941 100.0

Results
Pennsylvania's 5th congressional district, 2012[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Glenn Thompson (incumbent) 177,740 62.9
Democratic Charles Dumas 104,725 37.1
Total votes 282,465 100.0
Republican hold

District 6

Pennsylvania's 6th congressional district has been represented by Republican Jim Gerlach since 2003, and he is running for re-election.

Candidates

Declined
  • Doug Pike, 2010 candidate for Pennsylvania's 6th congressional district[21]

Primary results
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Manan M. Trivedi 20,037 100.0
Total votes 20,037 100.0

Primary results
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jim Gerlach (incumbent) 45,206 100.0
Total votes 45,206 100.0

Results
Pennsylvania's 6th congressional district, 2012[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jim Gerlach (Incumbent) 191,725 57.1
Democratic Manan Trivedi 143,803 42.9
Total votes 335,528 100.0
Republican hold

District 7

Pennsylvania's 7th congressional district has been represented by Republican Pat Meehan since January 2011. He is running for re-election.

Candidates
  • George Badey III, attorney[22]

Declined
  • Joe Sestak, former U.S. Representative 2010 candidate for U.S. Senate[23]
  • Jack Stollsteimer, former Safe Schools Advocate[24]

Primary results
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic George Badey 20,075 100.0
Total votes 20,075 100.0

Primary results
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Patrick L. Meehan (incumbent) 55,387 100.0
Total votes 55,387 100.0

Results
Pennsylvania's 7th congressional district, 2012[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Pat Meehan (incumbent) 209,942 59.4
Democratic George Badey 143,509 40.6
Total votes 353,451 100.0
Republican hold

District 8

Pennsylvania's 8th congressional district has been represented by Republican Mike Fitzpatrick since January 2011. Fitzpatrick previously represented the district from 2005 until 2007. He ran unopposed in the Republican primary.

Candidates

Declined

Primary results
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Kathy Boockvar 25,595 100.0
Total votes 25,595 100.0

Primary results
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mike Fitzpatrick (incumbent) 42,395 100.0
Total votes 42,395 100.0

Results
Pennsylvania's 8th congressional district, 2012[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mike Fitzpatrick (incumbent) 199,379 56.6
Democratic Kathryn Boockvar 152,859 43.4
Total votes 352,238 100.0
Republican hold

District 9

Pennsylvania's 9th congressional district has been represented by Republican Bill Shuster since 2001.

Democratic primary

Karen Ramsburg, a nurse from Mercersburg, had been running as an Independent, but after no Democrat filed to run, she mounted a write-in campaign for the April primary.[28] She was successful, receiving enough write-in votes to receive the Democratic nomination.[29]

Candidates
  • Bill Shuster, incumbent

Disqualified
  • Travis Schooley, businessman

Primary results
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bill Shuster (incumbent) 41,735 100.0
Total votes 41,735 100.0

Results
Pennsylvania's 9th congressional district, 2012[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bill Shuster (incumbent) 169,177 61.7
Democratic Karen Ramsburg 105,128 38.3
Total votes 274,305 100.0
Republican hold

District 10

Pennsylvania's 10th congressional district has been represented by Republican Tom Marino since January 2011.

Candidates
  • Philip Scollo

Declined

Primary results
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Philip Scollo 19,291 100.0
Total votes 19,291 100.0

Primary results
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Thomas Marino (incumbent) 51,373 100.0
Total votes 51,373 100.0

Results
Pennsylvania's 10th congressional district, 2012[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom Marino (incumbent) 179,563 65.6
Democratic Philip Scollo 94,227 34.4
Total votes 273,790 100.0
Republican hold

District 11

Pennsylvania's 11th congressional district has been represented by Republican Lou Barletta since January 2011.

Candidates

Declined

Primary results
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gene Stilp 18,716 54.5
Democratic Bill Vinsko 15,609 45.5
Total votes 34,325 100.0

Primary results
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Lou Barletta (incumbent) 49,511 100.0
Total votes 49,511 100.0

Results
Pennsylvania's 11th congressional district, 2012[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Lou Barletta (incumbent) 166,967 58.5
Democratic Gene Stilp 118,231 41.5
Total votes 285,198 100.0
Republican hold

District 12

Democrats Mark Critz, who has represented Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district since 2010; and Jason Altmire, who has represented Pennsylvania's 4th congressional district since 2007, both sought re-election in the new 12th district.[35]

Candidates
  • Jason Altmire, U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania's 4th congressional district
  • Mark Critz, U.S. Representative for Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district

Primary results
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mark Critz (incumbent) 32,384 51.2
Democratic Jason Altmire (incumbent) 30,895 48.8
Total votes 63,279 100.0

Candidates

Declined

Primary results
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Keith Rothfus 44,360 100.0
Total votes 44,360 100.0

Results
Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district, 2012[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Keith Rothfus 175,352 51.7
Democratic Mark Critz (incumbent) 163,589 48.3
Total votes 338,941 100.0
Republican gain from Democratic

District 13

Democrat Allyson Schwartz, who has represented Pennsylvania's 13th congressional district since 2005, sought re-election.

Candidates

Declined

Primary results
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Allyson Schwartz (incumbent) 36,756 100.0
Total votes 36,756 100.0

Primary results
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joseph James Rooney 21,644 100.0
Total votes 21,644 100.0

Results
Pennsylvania's 13th congressional district, 2012[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Allyson Schwartz (incumbent) 209,901 69.1
Republican Joe Rooney 93,918 30.9
Total votes 303,819 100.0
Democratic hold

District 14

Incumbent Democrat Mike Doyle defeated challenger Janis C. Brooks in the Democratic primary. He faced Republican Hans Lessmann in the general election.

Primary results
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Michael F. Doyle (incumbent) 50,323 80.1
Democratic Janis Brooks 12,484 19.9
Total votes 62,807 100.0

Primary results
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Hans Lessmann 15,936 100.0
Total votes 15,936 100.0

Results
Pennsylvania's 14th congressional district, 2012[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mike Doyle (incumbent) 251,932 76.9
Republican Hans Lessmann 75,702 23.1
Total votes 327,634 100.0
Democratic hold

District 15

Pennsylvania's 15th congressional district has been represented by Republican Charlie Dent since 2005.

Candidates

Declined

Primary results
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Rick Daugherty 14,623 58.8
Democratic Jackson Eaton 10,265 41.2
Total votes 24,888 100.0

Primary results
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Charles Dent (incumbent) 38,651 100.0
Total votes 38,651 100.0

Results
Pennsylvania's 15th congressional district, 2012[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Charlie Dent (incumbent) 168,960 56.8
Democratic Rick Daugherty 128,764 43.2
Total votes 297,724 100.0
Republican hold

District 16

Incumbent Republican Joe Pitts will face Democrat Aryanna C. Strader. They each ran unopposed in their respective primaries.

Primary results
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Aryanna C. Strader 15,839 100.0
Total votes 15,839 100.0

Primary results
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joseph R. Pitts (incumbent) 44,110 100.0
Total votes 44,110 100.0

Results
Pennsylvania's 16th congressional district, 2012[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joe Pitts (incumbent) 156,192 54.8
Democratic Aryanna Strader 111,185 39.1
Independent John Murphy 12,250 4.3
Independent James Bednarski 5,154 1.8
Total votes 284,781 100.0
Republican hold

District 17

Democrat Tim Holden, who has represented Pennsylvania's 17th congressional district since 2003, ran for re-election.[41] Pennsylvania Republicans, who controlled the redistricting process after the 2010 United States Census, drew this district to be much more Democratic, taking in parts of Scranton and Wilkes Barre. Holden, a Blue Dog Democrat who had represented a very Republican district for 10 years, was considered vulnerable to a primary challenge due to the bluer hue of the new district. Holden was defeated in the Democratic primary by attorney Matt Cartwright, 57-43. Holden's opposition to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and climate change legislation are believed to have contributed to his defeat by a more liberal opponent.[42]

Candidates

Declined

Primary results
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Matt Cartwright 33,255 57.1
Democratic Tim Holden (incumbent) 24,953 42.9
Total votes 58,208 100.0

Candidates

Primary results
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Laureen A. Cummings 26,953 100.0
Total votes 26,953 100.0

Results
Pennsylvania's 17th congressional district, 2012[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Matt Cartwright 161,393 60.3
Republican Laureen Cummings 106,208 39.7
Total votes 267,601 100.0
Democratic hold

District 18

Republican Tim Murphy, who has represented Pennsylvania's 18th congressional district since 2003, successfully sought re-election.[46]

Candidates

Primary results
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Timothy F. Murphy (incumbent) 32,854 63.4
Republican Evan Feinberg 18,937 36.6
Total votes 51,791 100.0

Candidates

Declined

Primary results
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Larry Maggi 39,096 100.0
Total votes 39,096 100.0

Results
Pennsylvania's 18th congressional district, 2012[4]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tim Murphy (incumbent) 216,727 64.0
Democratic Larry Maggi 122,146 36.0
Total votes 338,873 100.0
Republican hold

References
  1. Hirschhorn, Dan (March 30, 2011). "Pennsylvania's Democratic face-off". Politico. Retrieved June 27, 2011.
  2. Mellott, Kathy (December 13, 2011). "Congressional changes: Critz's 12th and Altmire's 4th to be merged". The Tribune-Democrat. Retrieved December 14, 2011.
  3. Gibson, Keegan (December 15, 2011). "Pa. Senate Passes Congressional Map 26-24". PoliticsPA. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
  4. "Statistics of Presidential and Congressional Election of November 6, 2012". Karen Haas, Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. February 28, 2013. Retrieved April 7, 2013.
  5. Bednarski for Congress is listed separately as a political party in the recapitulation of votes cast in Pennsylvania in the Statistics of the Presidential and Congressional Election of November 6, 2012.
  6. Gelbart, Marcia (June 15, 2011). "Former Phila. judge Jimmie Moore says he'll challenge Brady for Congress". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved June 26, 2011.
  7. Toeplitz, Shira (June 16, 2011). "Party Boss Brady Draws Primary Challenger". Roll Call. Retrieved June 26, 2011.
  8. Gibson, Keegan (February 29, 2012). "Moore Drops Primary Challenge to Brady". PoliticsPA. Retrieved March 1, 2012.
  9. Hill, Miriam (January 12, 2012). "Featherman to take on Brady". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved January 30, 2012.
  10. Ardner, Danielle (March 6, 2012). "Ballot Mischief Thins Out Dems PA-3". PoliticsPA. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
  11. Malloy, Daniel (June 12, 2011). "Dahlkemper is weighing another run for old seat". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved June 26, 2011.
  12. Guerriero, John (December 23, 2011). "DiNicola won't seek 3rd District congressional seat in 2012". Erie Times-News. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  13. Erwin, Erica (August 18, 2011). "Erie Mayor Sinnott decides against U.S. Congress run". Erie Times-News. Retrieved August 18, 2011.
  14. "Two area Democrats announce congressional bids". The York Dispatch. January 21, 2012. Retrieved January 23, 2012.
  15. McLaughlin, Matthew (January 21, 2012). "Southampton Township man to run for Platts' seat". The Sentinel. Retrieved January 23, 2012.
  16. Kauffman, Christina (January 23, 2012). "Commissioner Reilly enters field for Platts' seat". The York Dispatch. Retrieved January 23, 2012.
  17. Vickers, Robert J. (January 19, 2012). "Platts' retirement sets up free-for-all for seat in Congress". The Patriot-News. Retrieved January 23, 2012.
  18. Gibson, Elizabeth (January 23, 2012). "Sean Summers, lawyer for Albert Snyder in case against Westboro Baptist Church, announces run for Congress". The Patriot-News. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
  19. Toeplitz, Shira (January 30, 2012). "Pennsylvania: NRCC Aide Declines Bid for Todd Platts' Seat". Roll Call. Archived from the original on February 2, 2012. Retrieved January 31, 2012.
  20. Fitzgerald, Thomas (July 19, 2011). "Reading physician, an Iraq war vet, to challenge Gerlach". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  21. Toeplitz, Shira (July 21, 2011). "Gerlach Challengers Headed to Democratic Primary Rematch". Roll Call. Retrieved July 31, 2011.
  22. Brennan, Chris (February 6, 2012). "Mummers advocate to run for 7th Congressional Seat". Philadelphia Daily News. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
  23. Gibson, Keegan (June 17, 2011). "Stollsteimer Meets With Pelosi, Sestak Meets with Donors". PoliticsPA. Retrieved June 26, 2011.
  24. Gibson, Keegan (March 22, 2011). "Exclusive: Democrats Recruiting Jack Stollsteimer to Challenge Meehan in PA-7". PoliticsPA. Retrieved June 26, 2011.
  25. Gibson, Keegan (January 12, 2012). "It's Official: Boockvar to Challenge Fitzpatrick". PoliticsPA. Retrieved January 12, 2012.
  26. Weckselblatt, Gary (October 26, 2011). "Philo considers run at Fitzpatrick". phillyBurbs.com. Archived from the original on October 28, 2011. Retrieved October 27, 2011.
  27. Kristofic, Christina (January 5, 2012). "Ansinn withdraws from congressional race". phillyBurbs.com. Archived from the original on January 11, 2012. Retrieved January 6, 2012.
  28. Elyse Clonan (March 16, 2012). "Shuster Alone on the PA-9 Ballot, Might Face Dem". PoliticsPA. Retrieved March 2, 2014.
  29. Jennifer Fitch (May 9, 2012). "Mercersburg write-in candidate to face Bill Shuster in the fall". Herald-Mail. Retrieved March 2, 2014.
  30. Seder, Andrew M. (February 1, 2012). "Chris Carney will not run for Congress this year". Times Leader. Archived from the original on February 4, 2012. Retrieved February 4, 2012.
  31. Gibson, Keegan (January 9, 2012). "Updated: Anti-Pay Raise Activist Gene Stilp to Challenge Barletta". PoliticsPA. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  32. Hirschhorn, Dan (July 21, 2011). "Barletta has first challenger". Politico. Retrieved July 31, 2011.
  33. Seder, Andrew M. (July 25, 2011). "Kanjorski leaves options open, including try for office". Times Leader. Retrieved July 31, 2011.
  34. Random, Roderick (July 23, 2011). "Maps, candidates, unsettled". The Times-Tribune. Retrieved August 23, 2011.
  35. Roarty, Alex (December 19, 2011). "Christiana Won't Run in PA-12". National Journal. Archived from the original on May 15, 2012. Retrieved December 21, 2011.
  36. McNulty, Timothy; Olson, Laura (January 24, 2012). "Turzai changes his mind, won't run for Congress". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved January 24, 2012.
  37. Weckselblatt, Gary (January 25, 2012). "Schwartz may face primary challenge from 'Occupier'". phillyBurbs.com. Retrieved January 30, 2012.
  38. Itkowitz, Colby (July 18, 2011). "Lehigh Valley congressional race: Challenger emerges in Lehigh Valley congressional race". The Morning Call. Retrieved July 19, 2011.
  39. McEvoy, Colin (November 17, 2011). "Jackson Eaton, of Allentown, announces he will run against Congressman Charlie Dent". The Express-Times. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  40. Itkowitz, Colby (May 12, 2011). "Callahan to take on Dent again?". The Morning Call. Retrieved June 26, 2011.
  41. Gibson, Keegan (March 25, 2011). "Redistricting Watch: Primary Trouble for Tim Holden?". PoliticsPA. Retrieved June 26, 2011.
  42. Jonathan Weisman (April 25, 2012). "2 House Democrats Defeated After Opposing Health Law". The New York Times. Retrieved April 26, 2012.
  43. Clark, Adam (January 24, 2012). "Scranton attorney to challenge Holden in 17th District primary". The Morning Call. Retrieved January 30, 2012.
  44. Singleton, David (April 14, 2011). "O'Brien: Congress run 'not something I'm considering'". The Times-Tribune. Retrieved June 26, 2011.
  45. Itkowitz, Colby. "Petitions filed for Pa. primary". Retrieved 12 March 2012.
  46. Gibson, Keegan (January 9, 2012). "Kaiser Won't Challenge Murphy". PoliticsPA. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  47. Gibson, Keegan (September 29, 2011). "Tim Murphy Gets a Challenger". PoliticsPA. Retrieved October 3, 2011.
  48. Gibson, Keegan (January 23, 2012). "WashCo Commish Maggi Gets in Vs. Murphy". PoliticsPA. Retrieved January 28, 2012.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.