Pennsylvania Democrats on Tuesday were dealing with consequences of their 2010 rout as Rep. Mark S. Critz defeated Rep. Jason Altmire in a tough primary battle that pitted two of the most promising members of their delegation against each other.
In the Reading area, Rep. Tim Holden, first elected in 1992 and having survived one bitter redistricting battle 10 years ago, lost to lawyer Matt Cartwright, who had the support of liberal activists who are upset about Holden’s moderate voting record.
But it was the Critz-Altmire matchup that brought home the fallout from the Democrats’ poor showing at the polls two years ago.
Altmire, who beat an entrenched Republican in 2006, was forced into a tough primary battle against Critz, because Republicans got to draw the new district maps after the 2010 Census.
It was Critz’s victory in a May 2010 special election that temporarily allowed Democrats to believe that they may be able hold on to the their majority in the House that November.
Instead, Democrats were bested up and down the ballot, leaving Pennsylvania’s capital dominated by Republicans who redrew the districts to help the GOP.
he new boundaries apparently left Holden vulnerable among the new crop of voters. Only about one-quarter of the new district is currently represented by Holden.
Democrats now outnumber Republicans by 24 percentage points in the new district, whereas the GOP held a four-point registration edge in Holden's current district.
As a Blue Dog Democrat, Holden belonged to a coalition in Washington that includes moderate and conservative Democrats lobbying for greater fiscal responsibility.
Cartwright, 50, had name recognition in the important Scranton media market after long running ads for his Moosic law firm. He has proudly called himself "an old-school Roosevelt Democrat."
Holden had the support of Casey as well as the mayors of Scranton, Wilkes-Barre and Easton.
But it didn't matter against Cartwright. Nagy said a combination of redistricting, Cartwright's fundraising and national interest group support, coupled with an anti-incumbent sentiment throughout the country created a "perfect storm" against Holden.
Cartwright will face Scranton tea party activist Laureen Cummings in the fall. Cummings, a nurse and small business owner from Old Forge, was the only Republican on the primary ballot. Nagy said Holden pledged his support to Cartwright when calling to concede.
Critz topped Altmire to become the Democratic nominee in the newly created 12th Congressional District that stretches from Johnstown to areas north and east of Pittsburgh.
The 44-year-old Altmire and 40-year-old Critz were like-minded Democrats before redistricting combined their previously separate districts. Like Holden, Altmire was a Democratic Blue Dog Coalition member. He drew support from small businesses and the ire of unions for his vote against the federal health care overhaul in 2010.
Altmire was seen as a favorite in the race early on. About two-thirds of the new district is already represented by Altmire under the old boundary lines, a demographic advantage Altmire hoped would help carry him to victory.
Critz was buoyed by strong support from organized labor including the United Steelworkers, key endorsements in blue-collar western Pennsylvania. The former top aide to his powerful predecessor, the late Rep. John Murtha, was also endorsed by former President Bill Clinton.
"With the help of labor, we were able to make inroads in the new parts of the district," Critz said.
Critz will face Republican lawyer Keith Rothfus in the November election after beating Altmire 52 to 48.
Altmire won 70 percent of the vote in Allegheny County, which he currently represents, but lost 91 to 9 in Critz's power base of Johnstown and Cambria County. Johnstown was new ground for Altmire.
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