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Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district elections, 2012
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| November 6, 2012 |
| April 24, 2012 |
Keith Rothfus  |
Mark Critz  |
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Candidates wishing to run had to file by the signature filing deadline of February 14, 2012. The primary elections were held on April 24, 2012.
The 12th district is located in the southwest corner of Pennsylvania. Heading into the election the incumbent is Mark Critz, (D), who has served since he won in a special election in 2010.
Candidates
General election candidates
April 24, 2012 primary results
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Race background
The Washington Post listed the House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania in 2012 as one of the states that could determine whether Democrats retake the House or Republicans will hold its majority in 2013.[2] Ohio tied with Pennsylvania for 9th on the list.[2]
Impact of Redistricting
- See also Redistricting in Pennsylvania
The state of Pennsylvania lost one seat in the House of Representatives due to slow population growth. As a result, the redistricting committee dissolved the 12th congressional district represented by Mark Critz, and attached it to much of what was Jason Altmire's 4th district, forcing the two incumbents into a primary challenge. Portions of Altmire's district were also pushed into the Pittsburgh-based district represented by Mike Doyle.[3]
Politico rated the 12th district race between Mark Critz and Jason Altmire one of the 5 ugliest member vs. member battles.[4]
Media
The following is a selection of audio and video for some of the District 2 candidates. Some were released by candidates, others by local media.
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Mark Critz
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Jason Altmire
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Keith Rothfus
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District History
2010
On November 2, 2010, Critz won re-election to the United States House of Representatives. He defeated Tim Burns in the general election.[8]
| U.S. House of Representatives, Pennsylvania Congressional District 12 Election, 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Mark Critz Incumbent |
50.8% | 94,056 | |
| Republican | Tim Burns | 49.2% | 91,170 | |
| Total Votes | 185,226 | |||
2010 Special Election
On May 18, 2010, Critz won election to the United States House of Representatives. He defeated Tim Burns and Demo Agoris in the general election.[9]
| U.S. House of Representatives, Pennsylvania Congressional District 12 Special Election, 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Mark Critz Incumbent |
52.6% | 70,915 | |
| Republican | Tim Burns | 45.1% | 60,740 | |
| Libertarian | Demo Agoris | 2.3% | 3,158 | |
| Total Votes | 134,813 | |||
2008
On November 4, 2008, John P. Murtha won re-election to the United States House of Representatives. He defeated William Russell in the general election.[10]
| U.S. House of Representatives, Pennsylvania Congressional District 12 Election, 2008 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | John Murtha Incumbent |
57.9% | 155,268 | |
| Republican | William Russell | 42.1% | 113,120 | |
| Total Votes | 268,388 | |||
2006
On November 7, 2006, John P. Murtha won re-election to the United States House of Representatives. He defeated William Russell in the general election.[11]
| U.S. House of Representatives, Pennsylvania Congressional District 12 Election, 2006 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | John Murtha Incumbent |
60.8% | 123,472 | |
| Republican | Diana Irey | 39.2% | 79,612 | |
| Total Votes | 203,084 | |||
2004
On November 2, 2004, John P. Murtha won re-election to the United States House of Representatives. He ran unopposed in the general election.[12]
| U.S. House of Representatives, Pennsylvania Congressional District 12 Election, 2004 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | John Murtha Incumbent |
100% | 204,504 | |
| Republican | Expression error: Unexpected < operator% | |||
| Total Votes | 204,504 | |||
2002
On November 5, 2002, John P. Murtha won re-election to the United States House of Representatives. He defeated Bill Choby in the general election.[13]
| U.S. House of Representatives, Pennsylvania Congressional District 12 Election, 2002 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | John Murtha Incumbent |
26.5% | 44,818 | |
| Republican | Bill Choby | 73.5% | 124,201 | |
| Total Votes | 169,019 | |||
2000
On November 7, 2000, John P. Murtha won re-election to the United States House of Representatives. He defeated Bill Choby in the general election.[14]
| U.S. House of Representatives, Pennsylvania Congressional District 12 Election, 2000 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | John Murtha Incumbent |
28% | 56,575 | |
| Republican | Bill Choby | 72% | 145,538 | |
| Total Votes | 202,113 | |||
Money in the Race
According to opensecrets.org, Mark Critz has raised $1,143,054 so far this cycle. Of that, Critz has spent $919,760, leaving him with $232,184 cash on hand as of April 04, 2012. Not far behind, Jason Altmire has raised $1,134,697 and spent $292,069. Altmire had $852,292 cash on hand, as of December 31, 2011. Meanwhile, Keith Rothfus raised $485,542 and spent $124,148. As of April 4, 2012, Rothfus had $388,303 cash on hand.
Outside Spending
During the 2012 election cycle so far, the Service Employees International Union and the United Steelworkers have both spent money in the 12th district race. The SEIU has spent $5,547 while the United Steelworkers union has spent $1,738.[15]
Top Contributors
Altmire's top three contributors this cycle are EQT Corp, which donated $26,139; Ibis Tek, which donated $25,000 and Mepco LLC, which donated $17,000. Critz's top contributors are American Crystal Sugar, which gave $15,000; Rosebud Mining, which contributed $15,000; and Concurrent Technologies, which gave $12,500. Some of Rothfus' top contributors include Heinz & Co, which gave $6,000; HJ Heinz Co, which donated $5,500; and Concast, which gave $5,000.[16]
See also
- United States House of Representatives elections in Pennsylvania, 2012
- United States House of Representatives elections, 2012
- United States Senate elections in Pennsylvania, 2012
External links
References
- ↑ Pittsburgh Tribune Edgeworth lawyer Rothfus planning another run at Congress December 12, 2011
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Washington Post "The 10 states that will determine control of the House in 2012" Accessed April 25, 2012
- ↑ Politico "Pa. redistricting will pit Altmire vs. Critz" Accessed April 14, 2012
- ↑ Politico "Congress 2012: The 5 ugliest member vs. member battles" Accessed April 18, 2012
- ↑ YouTube channel
- ↑ YouTube channel
- ↑ Keith Rothfus chats with NRO
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010"
- ↑ North Carolina Secretary of State "Official Returns" Accessed March 22, 2012
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 4, 2008"
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 2006"
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2004"
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 5, 2002"
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 2000"
- ↑ opensecrets.org "Outside Spending" Accessed April 14, 2012
- ↑ opensecrets.org "Top Contributors" Accessed April 14, 2012
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