Pennsylvania:Pennsylvania:Midterm Elections Midterm Elections

Melissa Cheng, Kevin Pernick, Sean GordonMelissa Cheng, Kevin Pernick, Sean Gordon

The CandidatesThe Candidates

Joe Sestak (D)Joe Sestak (D) Pat Toomey (R)Pat Toomey (R)

Joe Sestak (D)Joe Sestak (D)

Born in Secane, Pennsylvania in 1951Born in Secane, Pennsylvania in 1951 Graduated from the US Naval Academy and has a Graduated from the US Naval Academy and has a

Ph.D from HarvardPh.D from Harvard Member of the US Navy for 30 years, winning 3 Member of the US Navy for 30 years, winning 3

distinguished service medalsdistinguished service medals Current member of the US House of Rep. serving in Current member of the US House of Rep. serving in

Pennsylvania’s 7Pennsylvania’s 7thth district district Has a wife and daughter, and is a Roman-CatholicHas a wife and daughter, and is a Roman-Catholic Upsets Incumbent Arlen Specter in the Democratic Upsets Incumbent Arlen Specter in the Democratic

Primary 53.8% to 46.2%Primary 53.8% to 46.2%

Pat Toomey (R)Pat Toomey (R)

Born in Providence, RI in 1961Born in Providence, RI in 1961

Also a Harvard Graduate. Went on to work in banking and Also a Harvard Graduate. Went on to work in banking and opened a restaurant with his two brothersopened a restaurant with his two brothers

A member of the US House of Reps from 1999 to 2005, serving A member of the US House of Reps from 1999 to 2005, serving for Pennsylvania's 15for Pennsylvania's 15thth district district

Has a wife and 3 kids, and is also Roman-CatholicHas a wife and 3 kids, and is also Roman-Catholic

Overwhelmingly won the Republican Primary against Peg Lusik, Overwhelmingly won the Republican Primary against Peg Lusik, 81.4% to 18.6%81.4% to 18.6%

Toomey currently holds a 8 point lead over Sestak in the most Toomey currently holds a 8 point lead over Sestak in the most recent Rasmussen Pollsrecent Rasmussen Polls

Pennsylvania State InfoPennsylvania State Info

Leading industry: lawyers and law firms Leading industry: lawyers and law firms

Leader in financial and insurance industriesLeader in financial and insurance industries

Home to fifty Fortune 500 companiesHome to fifty Fortune 500 companies

66thth total gross state product in the nation: 553 billion total gross state product in the nation: 553 billion (2008)(2008)

1717thth largest economy in the world largest economy in the world

Home to GE and Hershey’sHome to GE and Hershey’s

Center to many urban manufacturing centersCenter to many urban manufacturing centers

However, most of the state is ruralHowever, most of the state is rural

Creates an interesting dichotomy that affects politics and Creates an interesting dichotomy that affects politics and economy economy

PopulationPopulation

12, 604, 767 12, 604, 767

85% White85% White

10.9% Black10.9% Black

0.2% American Indian0.2% American Indian

2.5% Asian2.5% Asian

Political History: Voting Political History: Voting TrendsTrends

Since Regan and Bush, PA has been leaning towards the Since Regan and Bush, PA has been leaning towards the blue. PA has been considered a swing state, (from 72-96, blue. PA has been considered a swing state, (from 72-96, their state voted with the winning candidate) however, their state voted with the winning candidate) however, they have voted democratically in terms of the they have voted democratically in terms of the presidential election since 1988presidential election since 1988

In terms of the upcoming election, PA seems to be In terms of the upcoming election, PA seems to be disgruntled with the Obama administration as a whole and disgruntled with the Obama administration as a whole and this is can be seen through Toomey’s lead in the polls this is can be seen through Toomey’s lead in the polls

Presidential ElectionsPresidential Elections

2008-Democrat2008-Democrat

2004-Democrat2004-Democrat

2000- Democrat2000- Democrat

1996- Democrat1996- Democrat

1992-Democrat1992-Democrat

1988-Republican1988-Republican

1984- Republican1984- Republican

1980- Republican1980- Republican

Senatorial Voter Registration: Senatorial Voter Registration: November 2006November 2006

Statewide IssuesStatewide Issues

Obviously the economy is a prominent issue, with 9% Obviously the economy is a prominent issue, with 9% unemployment in January and growingunemployment in January and growing

Possible deciding factor:Possible deciding factor: From RealClearPolitics: “Toomey’s economic conservatism isn’t a great From RealClearPolitics: “Toomey’s economic conservatism isn’t a great

match for this economically populist state. But in this year of tea match for this economically populist state. But in this year of tea parties, the more salient factor in the general election may be Sestak’s parties, the more salient factor in the general election may be Sestak’s support of the Obama administration’s spending.” support of the Obama administration’s spending.”

The Philly suburbs have moved toward the Democrats, while The Philly suburbs have moved toward the Democrats, while Pittsburgh has moved toward the Republicans. Pittsburgh has moved toward the Republicans. This indicates blue collar favors the more conservative candidate This indicates blue collar favors the more conservative candidate Probably due to the fact that Toomey is a ‘taxpayers friend’ and is Probably due to the fact that Toomey is a ‘taxpayers friend’ and is

vehemently pro-life and has a strong pro-gun voting record vehemently pro-life and has a strong pro-gun voting record

Media Coverage and Prevailing Media Coverage and Prevailing StorylinesStorylines

Sestak has focused on attacking Toomey who he alleges Sestak has focused on attacking Toomey who he alleges has intentions to “eliminate corporate taxes altogether”. has intentions to “eliminate corporate taxes altogether”. Their back and forth battle through TV ads has seen a lot Their back and forth battle through TV ads has seen a lot of news time. Sestak has been defending these attack ads of news time. Sestak has been defending these attack ads by questioning their honesty and credibility. by questioning their honesty and credibility.

Sestak’s discussion on how he will “stand up” to his party Sestak’s discussion on how he will “stand up” to his party have clouded the airwaves. While Sestak traditionally have clouded the airwaves. While Sestak traditionally votes Democratic majority of the time, he has been trying votes Democratic majority of the time, he has been trying to establish the fact that while he is a democrat, he is to establish the fact that while he is a democrat, he is trying to always do the “right” thing. Many news sources trying to always do the “right” thing. Many news sources have been trying to reconcile these messages with have been trying to reconcile these messages with Sestak’s past actions. Sestak’s past actions.

Both Sestak and Toomey have been labeled as Both Sestak and Toomey have been labeled as “extremists” in their own right. Both sides have accused “extremists” in their own right. Both sides have accused the other of making outlandish decisions or having the other of making outlandish decisions or having eccentric ideas. While this is certainly not the first time eccentric ideas. While this is certainly not the first time candidates have been called extremist, it’s interesting that candidates have been called extremist, it’s interesting that there is coverage of both sides being considered as such. there is coverage of both sides being considered as such.

CNN: GOP Pat Toomey has seven-point lead over Dem. CNN: GOP Pat Toomey has seven-point lead over Dem. Joe Sestak in latest survey (September 18-23)Joe Sestak in latest survey (September 18-23)

Approval ratings of Obama is now only at 37%Approval ratings of Obama is now only at 37%

FOX: Joe Biden and Obama both visited the state last FOX: Joe Biden and Obama both visited the state last week to support Sestak week to support Sestak

Tea Party movement has broad support in the state:Tea Party movement has broad support in the state: 45% support45% support 35% oppose 35% oppose