The campaigning has ended and the voting has begun.
Democrats Ed Rendell and Arlen Specter have dominated Pennsylvania’s political scene for decades.
Today, voters are selecting their replacements, picking a new governor and United States Senator.
Democrat Dan Onorato, the Allegheny County Executive, faces Republican Attorney General Tom Corbett in the governor’s race, while former Congressman Pat Toomey, a Republican, is running against Democratic Congressman Joe Sestak for the Senate seat.
All 19 Congressional representatives are on the ballot, as well – and the number of Pennsylvania Democrats who retain their seats may determine whether or not control of the House flips to Republicans. Several races are expected to be closely contested, including the 7th Congressional District, where Democrat Bryan Lentz and Republican Patrick Meehan are vying to fill Sestak’s open seat.
Democrats Jason Altmire, Kathy Dahlkemper and Patrick Murphy are all facing tough races against Republican challengers, too.
In the General Assembly, all 203 state House seats are up for election.
Democrats currently hold a slight majority there, with 104 seats, compared to 99 Republican lawmakers.
Half of the state Senate is contested this year, too. Polls are open from 7 AM to 8 PM.
Voting Help from WDUQ
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010
Toomey, Corbett in Last Day Push
Flying across Pennsylvania on the eve of Election Day, Republican Senate nominee Pat Toomey and GOP gubernatorial nominee Tom Corbett are urging their supporters to get out and vote and not to assume they are going to win.Entering a Johnstown airplane hanger to the Pennsylvania Polka, Toomey and Corbett told Republicans their leads in the polls don’t matter, if the base doesn’t turn out tomorrow.
Corbett’s message: keep working hard.
"For the next 29 hours and 50 minutes, talk to the people. Don’t stop. Don’t be complacent. When you go out to vote tomorrow, make sure you go. Don’t say, oh I’m looking at the polls. Tom and Jim (lieutenant governor nominee Cawley) already have this locked up. Nothing is locked up."
Toomey told a group of party faithful the election isn’t over yet, the Democrats have not given up.
"They have not gone away. They’re still pushing as hard as they can. We’ve got to push as hard as we can. I feel like we’ve got a victory in reach, but it’s not yet in hand. We can be confident, but we can’t be complacent. "
Corbett and Toomey also rallied in Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Erie and Pittsburgh this afternoon.
Democratic Senate nominee Joe Sestak spent the day campaigning in Philadelphia while Democratic gubernatorial nominee Dan Onorato rallied with former President Bill Clinton in McKeesport
The two will campaign with First Lady Michelle Obama tonight in Philadelphia.
WPAHS Posts Big Losses in 2010
West Penn Allegheny Health System says one-time charges pushed the nonprofit further into the red in fiscal 2010. The System booked a $70.7 million non-cash asset impairment charge as part of the changes being made to West Penn Hospital and the Suburban Campus of Allegheny General Hospital. It also took an $11.8 million one-time hit for other restructuring costs. The System says without these restructuring costs the operating loss for fiscal year 2010 would have been $7.4 million, while its net profit would have been $19.4 million.
At the same time WPAHS reports that it ended the year with more cash on hand than it has since its formation. The fiscal year ended June 30th, 2010 with $306 million in cash. That is equivalent to 71 days cash on hand. President and CEO, Christopher Olivia says the “improved liquidity” will allow WPAHS to continue its restructuring plans in the current year. “We spent the last two years stabilizing the health system and improving our ability to generate cash flow from operations,” says Olivia, “I believe we are moving forward at a remarkable pace, however, there is still much work to do and many challenges lie ahead.”
Last week WPAHS finalized it plan to restructure operations at West Penn Hospital and the Suburban Campus of Allegheny General Hospital.
At the same time WPAHS reports that it ended the year with more cash on hand than it has since its formation. The fiscal year ended June 30th, 2010 with $306 million in cash. That is equivalent to 71 days cash on hand. President and CEO, Christopher Olivia says the “improved liquidity” will allow WPAHS to continue its restructuring plans in the current year. “We spent the last two years stabilizing the health system and improving our ability to generate cash flow from operations,” says Olivia, “I believe we are moving forward at a remarkable pace, however, there is still much work to do and many challenges lie ahead.”
Last week WPAHS finalized it plan to restructure operations at West Penn Hospital and the Suburban Campus of Allegheny General Hospital.
Poll Shows Gov. Sen. Races Leaning GOP.
The latest numbers from the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute show at least 5 point leads for the Republican candidates in both the US Senate and Gubernatorial race. The poll with a margin of error of 2.8 percent shows former Republican Congressman Pat Toomey holding a 50 - 45 percent lead among likely voters over Democratic US Rep. Joe Sestak in the race to be Pennsylvania's next US senator. In the Governor’s race, Republican Tom Corbett, the Attorney General, has a 52 - 42 percent lead over Democrat Dan Onorato. Onorato is the Allegheny County Executive.
Quinnipiac University Polling Institute Assistant Director Peter A. Brown says, "The candidates each hold their party bases pretty well, each getting more than 80 percent of the votes of their own party members." The difference comes among voters who identify themselves as independent. The poll finds Toomey leads Sestak among independents 52 - 39 percent and Corbett leads 53 - 34 percent among independent voters.
Digging a bit further into the numbers shows 6 percent of likely voters in the governor’s race are undecided and 14 percent of voters who name a candidate say they might change their mind. 17 percent of Onorato supporters say they may change their mind while 11 percent of Corbett backers could jump ship. Likely voters give Onorato a 40 - 36 percent favorability rating compared to Corbett's 51 - 25 percent rating. "It is difficult to see how Dan Onorato becomes Pennsylvania's next governor," says Brown.
The numbers are based on 1,244 surveys from October 25 – 30.
Quinnipiac University Polling Institute Assistant Director Peter A. Brown says, "The candidates each hold their party bases pretty well, each getting more than 80 percent of the votes of their own party members." The difference comes among voters who identify themselves as independent. The poll finds Toomey leads Sestak among independents 52 - 39 percent and Corbett leads 53 - 34 percent among independent voters.
Digging a bit further into the numbers shows 6 percent of likely voters in the governor’s race are undecided and 14 percent of voters who name a candidate say they might change their mind. 17 percent of Onorato supporters say they may change their mind while 11 percent of Corbett backers could jump ship. Likely voters give Onorato a 40 - 36 percent favorability rating compared to Corbett's 51 - 25 percent rating. "It is difficult to see how Dan Onorato becomes Pennsylvania's next governor," says Brown.
The numbers are based on 1,244 surveys from October 25 – 30.
"Living With" Airs on 90.5FM
WDUQ has launched a new series, “Living With.” Behavioral Health Reporter Erika Beras spoke to people throughout the region about what it is like to live with behavioral health problems and mental illness. Their profiles will air on 90.5 FM WDUQ throughout the month of November. As the stories air they will be posted on our web page. A short interview with Erica Beras speaking about how the series came to be has also been posted to the web. All of the stories in our focus on Behavioral Health series can also be found online.
Hanover Solar Farm Would Be PA's Largest
Snack food maker Snyder’s of Hanover is set to begin construction of the state’s largest solar energy system.
Snyder’s of Hanover spokeswoman Andrea Bartman says the farm will reduce the company’s greenhouse gas emissions by 230 million pounds over 25 years.
Snyder’s expects all 16,000 solar panels to be installed in March or April of 2011. Bartman says the company hired only Pennsylvania contractors for this project.
“Hopefully in the next week, we will have a live camera up on the roof of our corporate building, and you will be able to watch the construction process. It will update every 15 minutes and then at the end of the project, when it’s completed, you will be able to see a time lapse video of the entire construction phase.”
Bartman says Snyder’s will also fence in the 26-acre farm, and landscape the hillside. She says the farm will stand directly across the street from Snyder’s headquarters in Hanover.
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar recently announced the construction of a 7,000-acre solar farm in the Mojave Desert of California. That farm would be the largest in the country, and would generate more than double the nation’s current solar energy production.
Snyder’s of Hanover spokeswoman Andrea Bartman says the farm will reduce the company’s greenhouse gas emissions by 230 million pounds over 25 years.
Snyder’s expects all 16,000 solar panels to be installed in March or April of 2011. Bartman says the company hired only Pennsylvania contractors for this project.
“Hopefully in the next week, we will have a live camera up on the roof of our corporate building, and you will be able to watch the construction process. It will update every 15 minutes and then at the end of the project, when it’s completed, you will be able to see a time lapse video of the entire construction phase.”
Bartman says Snyder’s will also fence in the 26-acre farm, and landscape the hillside. She says the farm will stand directly across the street from Snyder’s headquarters in Hanover.
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar recently announced the construction of a 7,000-acre solar farm in the Mojave Desert of California. That farm would be the largest in the country, and would generate more than double the nation’s current solar energy production.
Voting Help From WDUQ
Tomorrow is Election Day and many voters are still trying to make up their minds. Others have made up their minds on how to vote but are still not sure where to cast their ballot. To help you with your voting needs, WDUQ has put together some important links.
Nearly all of the election stories aired on 90.5 FM can be found on our blog.
Information about many of the candidates can be found on the League of Women Voters website.
You can find your PA House and Senate District here.
Find your congressional district here.
Find your polling place here.
Polls in Pennsylvania open Tuesday November 2nd at 7:00am and remain open until 8:00pm. If you are in line at 8:00pm your vote must be taken.
Nearly all of the election stories aired on 90.5 FM can be found on our blog.
Information about many of the candidates can be found on the League of Women Voters website.
You can find your PA House and Senate District here.
Find your congressional district here.
Find your polling place here.
Polls in Pennsylvania open Tuesday November 2nd at 7:00am and remain open until 8:00pm. If you are in line at 8:00pm your vote must be taken.
PA House Control Could Flip
All 203 state House seats are on the ballot in Pennsylvania tomorrow. Republicans are feeling increasingly confident they’ll be able to wrest control of the chamber from Democrats.
Democrats currently hold a slim 104-98 advantage over Republicans, with one former GOP seat currently vacant.
Republicans need to gain a net of three seats to win control of the chamber, which Democrats have held since the 2006 election.
Privately, top Republican lawmakers are talking about holding 106 seats on Wednesday morning.
State party chairman Rob Gleason says the GOP is running an aggressive campaign.
"We are focusing on 30 to 40 House races. And usually by this time in the election cycle it’s only 5 or 10. So that tells me a couple things: 1 is, we have some great candidates. 2, we have enough money. And 3, a lot of people think we have a chance to win."
Democrats aren’t backing down, though. Democratic Chair Jim Burn says his party will do better than expected, and keep control of the majority it’s held since 2007.
"And what we have been hearing as we’ve been out campaigning is a lot of enthusiasm for our Democratic candidates – incumbents and challengers."
Burns says they will buck the national pro-Republican trend, and points to the fact the House Democratic Campaign Committee has raised 1.3 million dollars more than its Republican counterpart this year.
35 incumbent Democrats are running unopposed, compared to 42 Republicans.
Democrats currently hold a slim 104-98 advantage over Republicans, with one former GOP seat currently vacant.
Republicans need to gain a net of three seats to win control of the chamber, which Democrats have held since the 2006 election.
Privately, top Republican lawmakers are talking about holding 106 seats on Wednesday morning.
State party chairman Rob Gleason says the GOP is running an aggressive campaign.
"We are focusing on 30 to 40 House races. And usually by this time in the election cycle it’s only 5 or 10. So that tells me a couple things: 1 is, we have some great candidates. 2, we have enough money. And 3, a lot of people think we have a chance to win."
Democrats aren’t backing down, though. Democratic Chair Jim Burn says his party will do better than expected, and keep control of the majority it’s held since 2007.
"And what we have been hearing as we’ve been out campaigning is a lot of enthusiasm for our Democratic candidates – incumbents and challengers."
Burns says they will buck the national pro-Republican trend, and points to the fact the House Democratic Campaign Committee has raised 1.3 million dollars more than its Republican counterpart this year.
35 incumbent Democrats are running unopposed, compared to 42 Republicans.
Dem Chair: "PA Doesn't Need a U-Turn"
Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chairman Jim Burn believes the party's message of "moving forward" is resonating with voters. Burn says they've been telling voters that Pennsylvania and the nation do not need a U-turn........"We were fortunate in 2008 to avoid the worst economic disaster since the Great Depression. If we were to turn back now and give the Republican Tea Party another chance, they would, in my opinion, put us in a great depression."
Burn doesn't believe there is a trend toward Republican candidates in Pennsylvania like there seems to be in some other states. Burn says in the 5 months he has been chairman he has visited 30 counties including the so-called "T," the northern tier and central counties....
"I have not seen GOP fervor there. If anything, I have seen more Democratic enthusiasm in the middle of the state, and I have seen moderate Republicans' support for our (Democratic) candidates because they feel if they're being purged and pushed out of the Republican Party by the neo-conservative Tea Party."
Burn says he believes the polls show dead heats in the race for governor and the U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania. However, a Franklin and Marshall College poll released last week showed Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Corbett with a 42-30% lead over Democrat Dan Onorato with 26% undecided. Among likely voters, Corbett's lead was 51-35%.
The same poll showed Republican Senatorial candidate Pat Toomey with a 37-35% lead over Democrat Joe Sestak and a 43-36% edge among likely voters.
Burn says the Democratic Party has worked hard to keep engaged the young voters who went to the polls for the first time in 2008 to elect Barack Obama.
Burn doesn't believe there is a trend toward Republican candidates in Pennsylvania like there seems to be in some other states. Burn says in the 5 months he has been chairman he has visited 30 counties including the so-called "T," the northern tier and central counties....
"I have not seen GOP fervor there. If anything, I have seen more Democratic enthusiasm in the middle of the state, and I have seen moderate Republicans' support for our (Democratic) candidates because they feel if they're being purged and pushed out of the Republican Party by the neo-conservative Tea Party."
Burn says he believes the polls show dead heats in the race for governor and the U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania. However, a Franklin and Marshall College poll released last week showed Republican gubernatorial candidate Tom Corbett with a 42-30% lead over Democrat Dan Onorato with 26% undecided. Among likely voters, Corbett's lead was 51-35%.
The same poll showed Republican Senatorial candidate Pat Toomey with a 37-35% lead over Democrat Joe Sestak and a 43-36% edge among likely voters.
Burn says the Democratic Party has worked hard to keep engaged the young voters who went to the polls for the first time in 2008 to elect Barack Obama.
Roddey: "Most Active Republican Campaign" He's Seen
The head of Allegheny County Republican Committee says the trend favoring Republican candidates around the nation is being reflected in southwestern Pennsylvania and across the state. Committee Chairman Jim Roddey says he's seeing that in the polls, in people attending rallies, people volunteering......"it's the most active Republican campaign I have ever seen. But all that being said, it will come down to turnout."
Roddey says they have been planning for months to make sure voters who are likely to cast ballots for Republican candidates go to the polls. He says they have poll watchers who check off the likely voters as they show up at the polls and around 3 o'clock Tuesday they will start calling those people who have not yet voted..."we have vans to get them to the polls, we have volunteers to babysit, we have dog sitters...whatever it takes to get likely voters to the polls."
Roddey predicts the surprise Tuesday will be the impact of the Tea Party members because the polls usually focus on regular voters and aren't taking into account the Tea Party......"they are folks that probably vote in a presidential year but not in all the elections. This time they are motivated."
Roddey says Republicans are doing well with independent voters who are frustrated with President Obama's programs, and that the Democrats will need a very strong turnout in Philadelphia to win the gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races.
Roddey says they have been planning for months to make sure voters who are likely to cast ballots for Republican candidates go to the polls. He says they have poll watchers who check off the likely voters as they show up at the polls and around 3 o'clock Tuesday they will start calling those people who have not yet voted..."we have vans to get them to the polls, we have volunteers to babysit, we have dog sitters...whatever it takes to get likely voters to the polls."
Roddey predicts the surprise Tuesday will be the impact of the Tea Party members because the polls usually focus on regular voters and aren't taking into account the Tea Party......"they are folks that probably vote in a presidential year but not in all the elections. This time they are motivated."
Roddey says Republicans are doing well with independent voters who are frustrated with President Obama's programs, and that the Democrats will need a very strong turnout in Philadelphia to win the gubernatorial and U.S. Senate races.
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