Democrat Jason Altmire defeated three-term incumbent U.S. Rep. Melissa Hart on Tuesday, helping his party take control of the House of Representatives for the first time since 1994.
Altmire, 38, a political newcomer and former lobbyist from McCandless, followed the national Democratic strategy of linking his Republican opponent to President Bush. A health care executive, Altmire also linked Hart -- the first Republican woman elected to Congress from Pennsylvania -- with embattled Republican Sen. Rick Santorum, who lost last night.
With 98 percent of the precincts reporting, Altmire led with 52 percent of the vote to Hart's 48 percent, The Associated Press reported.
This was a stunner to me. When PD pointed out that the Beaver County numbers were still to come in, it was clear that the upset was underway.
Re: Greenhorn Altmire defeats Hart
Melissa Hart put the perfect cap on her undistinguished Congressional career last night, when she took at shot at Altmire on her way out the door. She chided him for “going negative.” If anyone needed any additional proof that she is a brittle, arrogant twit, that was it. She couldn’t even bring herself to bow out gracefully. Hell, even her Senate doppleganger Rick Santorum did that!
Piltdown Man
Re: Greenhorn Altmire defeats Hart
Besides Santorum going down, this was the best result of the evening for me. Now my family in the 4th will be able to be proud of their Congressman. :)
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