Republicans will likely remain the majority in PA Assembly

[Kire]

Slim chance for Assembly Democrats

Lack of competitive Pa. races and a Rendell promise to the GOP mean Republicans will likely remain the majority.

By Nancy Petersen

Inquirer Staff Writer


Although the presidential race remains a cliff-hanger in Pennsylvania, that suspense does not trickle down to the state's General Assembly races.

With the GOP holding hefty margins in both the state House and the state Senate, even the Democrats admit that the possibility of an upset is remote.

"Where we are it would be a Herculean task to win a majority," said State Rep. T.J. Rooney (D., Lehigh), chairman of the Democratic State Committee.

Alan Novak, chairman of the Republican State Committee, said there simply aren't enough competitive races around the state to dislodge the GOP from its leadership.

"Pretty clearly, the Republicans will still be in the majority coming out of the election," he said.



More: http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/local/9591711.htm

[7 Lazy P]

1. In other news, sun rises in east...

Sorry, couldn't resist. :) That reporter has a penchant for stating the obvious, I think. I can't recall a time in the last 20 years (although I could be wrong - my memory is not that good) when the Democrats held a majority in the assembly. If I remember correctly, I think the Republican candidate for the House seat in my district ran unopposed last time.

The Republican candidate for the 19th Congressional District where I live is also basically running unopposed. The Greens, Libertarians, and Constitution parties have all fielded a candidate, but no Democrat is running.

[Freddie Stubbs]

2. The Democrats controlled the State House just 10 years ago

A Democrat majority was elected in 1994, but one Representative (Thomas Stish) switched parties and gave the GOP control. That majority has grown over the past decade.