4 of Pennsylvania's 19 congressional districts competitive
PHILADELPHIA—Two wealthy businessmen who largely financed their own campaigns competed Tuesday for the Republican congressional nomination in a longtime GOP district in northeastern Pennsylvania lost to the Democrats two years ago because of a sex scandal.
Dan Meuser and Chris Hackett were competing for a shot to run against freshman Rep. Chris Carney in November. Both spent lavishly in the run-up to Tuesday's primary on television ads touting their conservative credentials.
Meuser, president of a company that sells equipment for the disabled, and Hackett, who owns several companies, together spent about $2.6 million of their own money.
Until Carney's election, the district had not sent a Democrat to Washington in more than four decades.
Former GOP Rep. Don Sherwood's four-term House career came to an end after a woman 35 years his junior sued him in 2005, alleging the married father of three choked her at his Capitol Hill apartment. Sherwood admitted having an affair with the woman but denied hurting her. He settled the case for about $500,000.
Of the state's 19 congressional districts, primaries in four, including northeastern Pennsylvania seat, were competitive -- with no incumbents facing a challenge.
In central Pennsylvania, nine Republicans and three Democrats were looking to succeed Republican Rep. John Peterson, who is retiring at the end of his term. It was the state's only open House seat.
Peterson's endorsement went to Glenn Thompson, the Centre County GOP chairman.
Financial planner Derek Walker, one of the highest-spending GOP candidates in the race, was charged days before the vote with burglary and other counts stemming from a dispute with his girlfriend last year. He denied the charges, saying they were politically motivated.
The other Republican candidates were real estate developer Matt Shaner; Elk County Coroner Lou Radkowski; business owner Jeffrey J. Stroehmann; Chris Exarchos, a former Centre County commissioner; former Centre County commissioner Keith Richardson; Clarion Mayor John Rea Stroup; and insurance agent John Krupa.
The Democratic candidates were Bill Cahir, a journalist and Iraq war veteran; Clearfield County Commissioner Mark McCracken; and Lock Haven Mayor Richard Vilello.
Outside Pittsburgh, three Democrats competed to challenge Republican Rep. Tim Murphy in November. They were businessman Steve O'Donnell; Beth Hafer, the daughter of former state treasurer Barbara Hafer and an executive in her mother's consulting firm; and Brien Wall, who works for a life insurance company.
In northwest Pennsylvania, four Democrats vied for the opportunity to challenge Republican Rep. Phil English. They were lawyer Tom Myers; Kathy Dahlkemper, the director of the Lake Erie Arboretum; Kyle Foust, an administrator at Mercyhurst College and member of the Erie County Council; and Mike Waltner, a program coordinator at the Episcopal Cathedral of St. Paul in Erie.
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On the Net:
Pennsylvania Republican Party: http://www.pagop.org/
Pennsylvania Democratic Party: http://www.padems.com/
