I’m glad she’s running, but I think it’s a bad start to talk about pork barrel politics your first day. With some refining I think she’ll be a decent candidate.
Erin Vecchio, a Penn Hills school director, has announced her candidacy for the Democratic nomination for Congress in the 18th Congressional District, a seat currently held by Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair.“I think the 18th District needs a change. We’re not getting the federal funds that we deserve,” said Ms. Vecchio, who also is the chair of the Penn Hills Democratic party. “I believe that I can make a difference because I am middle class, I’m a working person and I know what working people need.”
Ms. Vecchio attracted attention in 2006 as an outspoken critic of former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum. From her school board position, she questioned whether it had been proper for the school district to pay for the cyber-school tuition for several of Mr. Santorum’s children.
On procedural grounds, the state Department of Education eventually sidetracked a complaint challenging the payments, but the issue continued to vex Mr. Santorum throughout his campaign against Sen. Bob Casey.
Any others?
This is proving to be an election of choice! These candidates will be spending a great deal of money in the primary election, which hopefully will not limit their funds for the general election. Has there been any republicans challenging Murphy? How about anyone vowing to limit their campaign spending?
Not That I've Seen
For somebody that is supposedly vulnerable, Murphy has never drawn anything resembling top-tier opposition since his first race in 2002. Beth Hafer and Erin Vecchio, decent candidates as they may be, probably aren’t giving the Murphy folks fits right now. You’re telling me that Dems can’t convince SOME current officeholder (County Council member, State Rep, State Sen) to make the race? Doesn’t Sean Logan live in Murphy’s district? Personally, I’m not particularly fond of Murphy (I’d much rather have St. Sen. John Pippy in Congress), but it doesn’t look like the Dems are very serious about forcing him into retirement next year.
Hafer's a top tier
I think anybody who comes out of successful private sector experience and has a name that can be respected is considered a top tier candidate. Logan might be the top of the bunch, but I wouldn’t hesitate to say that Hafer is a high quality candidate. Business community personalities often hop into the races and do quite well… Altmire anybody?
State Reps or Senators?
How about State Rep Matt Smith or State Senator Costa?
Hafer
Hafer might be a competitive candidate (hey, the name business certainly worked for Senator Casey), but I’d hesitate to call her a top-tier candidate in the sense that her entry into the race instantly sends the 18th into the “toss-up” category. If state Senator Logan threw his hat into the ring, I may be forced to do just that. I’d argue it wasn’t Altmire’s private sector experience that propelled him to Congress last year; it was the fact that Melissa Hart decided she was invincible and forgot the fact that her constituents actually hold votes whether or not to send her back to DC every two years. Altmire could’ve been beamed in from the moon and probably have been elected. On Anonymous’s post, I believe Smith is in Murphy’s district; Costa might be in Doyle’s district (the 14th).
Hafer is certainly the best candidate
I think the best candidate in the race is Beth Hafer, who has the best shot of knocking off Murphy… certainly far better than any of the other challengers in the race. She’ll take him to school for an ethics lesson, and she’s a strong voice on creating jobs… not outsourcing them. Yes, she is a top tier candidate and her entry into the race puts the district into the very competitive category. Hafer can send murphy packing. Remember, Chad Kluko lost 58-42, so in essence the difference needed is 8.5 percentage points needed to win. Beth is the best candidate to give us that shot in the 18th.. and to outsource naughty Tim.
Jesse
Hafer...
I agree that Hafer is the current best choice.
Name recognition is the #1 issue for people in these sorts of races. Voters don’t pay a ton of attention to them, particularly in a Presidential election year, so having instant name cred is critical for Hafer. It’ll save her a ton of money that she’d otherwise have to spend just seeding her name with a public which will be burned out from the deluge of Pres ads which will be running.
Her campaign is easy; use Tim Murphy’s lack of a record and his ethical missteps against him. And tie him to Bush. Simple enough.
For his part, Tim’s consultants will pull out all sorts of minor accomplishments and tout them in TV ads as if he’s been the most active Congressman on the Hill. They’ll also talk about how much pork he has returned to the District.
Should be fun!
Pilt
hafer a trader
did you know that she has changed her party four times …...........this is not a democrat….........
Wrong Hafer
You are thinking of Barbara Hafer. Beth Hafer is her daughter.
no not wrong daughter
no not wrong daughter changed too….....
Hafer will win
labeling someone a “trader” is about the most illogical and unintelligent post ive seen on here. Thats something George W. Bush and Dick Cheney would do and is very, very sleazy. Definitely not a mindset towards ousting Tim Murphy.
That’s exactly why Beth Hafer is running, so that rubber stamp lackeys and a proven ethics violator is kicked out. I used to be a republican and im a democrat now too. The truth with the electorate is that some of your moderate republicans are democrats. In the 1980s you had your Reagan Dems.
As far as Barb switching parties, I actually respect that because she isn’t or never has been “lock and step” or told what to do by any political party. Thats why we need Beth in there, to have true independent representation for the 18th district’s constituents. She is by far the most electable candidate in the field and will win.
Jesse
Saltsburg, PA
HAFER
Beth Hafer has only voted in five elections, changers her party affiliation three years ago. She is politically confused. I’m tired of seeing the same names on the ballot, let’s try somebody else. Why would we want her as our congresswoman?
If Erin Vecchio would take on the #3 Republican in the nation, as a school borad member, think of what she will do in congress.
Why would we want her...because Hafer can win; unlike Vecchio
Well since you asked, It’s rather quite simple. Beth Hafer is the best candidate to take on and defeat Tim Murphy. Im not much for going negative as you have to trash someone in hopes of making your candidate stand out (she doesnt)... ill leave those tactics to the republicans and … well you apparently for all to see. Hafer’s running a professional campaign focused on defeating Tim Murphy in November 2008 and not towards trying to “character assasinate” fellow challengers with menial and negative assertions that mean little to most people and do nothing but make a hypocrite out of you. Hafer is clearly the candidate that gives us the best chance to win.. far better than any “one trick pony” could.
Finally, my tip to you as Senator Casey had to tell Rick…. “Don’t be a desperate campaigner”
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