Libertarian candidates off the ballot

The Libertarian Party’s slate of statewide candidates has officially been sent packing.

The party’s candidates for senate, governor and lieutenant governor all ended their bids to stay on the ballot Wednesday, succumbing to legal challenges spearheaded by the state GOP. Coupled with the withdrawal of a Green Party candidate for senate and another candidate for governor, the latest exits mean there will be…

August 19, 2010 at 9:01 am | Comments (14)

Libertarian, Green Party candidates file for senate, guv (Updated)

A pair of third-party candidates filed signatures to get on the ballot for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania Monday, adding a dose of underdog intrigue to the race between Democrat Joe Sestak and Republican Pat Toomey.

Douglas Jamison, an engineer, filed enough signatures to run on the Libertarian Party ticket. On his campaign Web site, Jamison says that senators today are “an agent to their own party and the special interest groups…

August 2, 2010 at 4:22 pm | Comments (6)

LEFTOVERS: Chamber hits Sestak, Stupak aids Dahlkemper, labor endorsements

We already mentioned the new conservative Middle East policy group that’s going after Democrat Joe Sestak. But we forgot to say that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is also taking on the congressman and candidate for Senate. Our friends at Early Returns 2.0 pointed out that the business lobby is tying Sestak to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in a new ad. You can check it out below.…

July 13, 2010 at 10:41 pm | Comments (1)

LEFTOVERS: Williams’ next move, Saidel’s new gig, toss-up in the 11th

Democrat Anthony Williams didn’t make much public noise after finishing third in the gubernatorial primary last month, and he even passed on a chance to endorse Dan Onorato on primary night. But he was set to break that silence in a big way Thursday night, with plans for a two-hour event to “announce next steps” at the National Constitution Center. And even before the curtain came up on that number, Dave Davies at WHYY told…

June 24, 2010 at 9:59 pm | Comments (3)

Onorato welcomes running mate

More than a week after he won the Democratic nomination for governor, Dan Onorato now has a running mate. And he’s welcoming state Representative Scott Conklin with open arms.

“Scott Conklin became a state Representative because he was disgusted with the Harrisburg culture after the infamous legislative pay grab,” Onorato said in a statement Wednesday. “Just as I took on an entrenched incumbent to become County Executive, Scott earned his seat by demanding reform and…

May 26, 2010 at 7:21 pm | Comments (14)

Saidel concedes, will request no recount

Just hours after signaling that he wanted a recount in the Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor, Jonathan Saidel on Wednesday conceded defeat, saying in a statement that he would ask the Secretary of State not to proceed with a recount.

Saidel is trailing state Representative Scott Conklin (D-Centre) by less than 4,000 votes, a margin of less than one-half percent of the vote, slim enough to mandate an automatic recount unless…

May 26, 2010 at 4:08 pm | Comments (19)

Recount seems likely in Lt. Gov. race

It’s been more than a week since primary voters went to the polls—but it looks like Democrats will have to wait a little longer to know who won their nomination for Lieutenant Governor.

The Pennsylvania Department of State said Tuesday that returns from counties across the state had been submitted and tallied, and the most recent count still shows state Representative Scott Conklin (D-Centre) holding a slim lead over former Philadelphia City Controller Jonathan Saidel.…

May 26, 2010 at 10:04 am | Comments (3)

LEFTOVERS: Critz sworn in, Steele says GOP will win, the Saidel robo-call

Democrat Mark Critz is now a congressman. The longtime John Murtha aide officially stepped into his late boss’ shoes on Thursday, being sworn into office two days after winning the 12th District special election. “This moment is bittersweet for me because I wouldn’t be here right now if Jack Murtha hadn’t left us too soon,” Critz said. “I’ve thought about the many lessons that Congressman Murtha taught me. He always said…

May 23, 2010 at 5:03 pm | Comments (11)

Conklin: Imminent victory ‘proves that your vote really does matter’

Scott Conklin was on the verge of an incredible upset win in the Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor on Wednesday, holding onto a lead that was just large enough to avoid the need for an automatic recount.

Conklin, a state Representative from Centre County, was widely seen as the underdog against former Philadelphia City Controller Jonathan Saidel, who had exponentially more campaign cash, as well as overwhelming support from party and labor leaders. But as…

May 19, 2010 at 7:50 pm | Comments (22)

With some Philly votes still out there, Saidel hopes for recount

It’s come to this: Jonathan Saidel might need a recount.

The former Philadelphia City Controller was stunned in his campaign for Lieutenant Governor Tuesday, when night stretched into morning with state Representative Scott Conklin (D-Centre) holding onto a narrow lead.

Early Wednesday afternoon, there were votes still to be counted in some Philadelphia precincts where Saidel’s campaign hoped to perform well, but it faced a steep uphill climb, trailing by almost 5,000 votes. Conklin led…

May 19, 2010 at 1:35 pm | Comments (3)