send to a friend | print | comment
Conklin: Imminent victory ‘proves that your vote really does matter’
Scott Conklin was on the verge of an incredible upset win in the Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor on Wednesday, holding onto a lead that was just large enough to avoid the need for an automatic recount.
Conklin, a state Representative from Centre County, was widely seen as the underdog against former Philadelphia City Controller Jonathan Saidel, who had exponentially more campaign cash, as well as overwhelming support from party and labor leaders. But as Tuesday night turned to Wednesday morning, it seemed increasingly likely that Conklin had pulled out a win. He led by fewer than 4,400 votes, and while Saidel’s campaign was hoping that votes from still-to-be-counted precincts in Philadelphia would narrow the margin enough for a recount, Conklin told pa2010.com that those precincts mostly represented voting machines that went unused because of the light turnout.
“It’s a very good day,” Conklin said in a phone interview Wednesday evening. “We’re expecting those numbers to stay intact, the question is just whether we’re over or under” the half-percent margin that triggers a recount.
Saidel had not conceded, issuing a subdued statement Wednesday afternoon in which he expressed hope for a recount. And Conklin, who had yet to speak with Saidel, said he would wait to formally declare victory until the votes were certified next week. But he was both optimistic and jubilant. Conklin said he would form a potent ticket with gubernatorial nominee Dan Onorato.
“My victory goes to the folks who helped me,” he said, “because we didn’t have the money and we were working against the entire party structure.”
Saidel was the party’s endorsed candidate, and a full picture of what went wrong was still emerging late Wednesday. Low turnout in Philadelphia hurt him from the start, a dynamic exacerbated by the fact that retired Commonwealth Court Judge Doris Smith-Ribner had a strong showing in the city, cutting into Saidel’s margins. Endorsements from The Inquirer and The Post-Gazette could have played a significant role in a race that voters rarely consider with much scrutiny. The Saidel campaign never took Conklin seriously, openly mocking his viability in e-mail exchanges. And Capitolwire (subscription only) reported that Saidel allies were faulting him for not spending $450,000 than was left in his war chest.
“We did what we could the way we knew how to do it best, and we were able to get the numbers we needed in central Pennsylvania and out in the west, while getting enough from our friends in Philadelphia to pull off the victory,” Conklin said.
“This just proves that your vote really does matter,” Conklin. “It proves it’s not about money, it’s about people, and that’s why we do what we do.”
With Onorato hailing from the western part of the state, Senate nominee Joe Sestak from the southeast and Conklin from mid-sate, Conklin said that would form the basis for a solid ticket.
“I believe we have a great balanced ticket … and I believe it’s going to bring a good dynamic to Pennsylvania this fall,” he said.
Conklin also clarified a recent news report that quoted him saying he would keep his state House job if he’s elected as Lt. Gov. in the fall, saying he would only hold the seat for as long as it took to schedule a special election that coincides with another election cycle.
“I have no intention of being both Lt. Gov. and state Representative for four years,” he said.
May 19, 2010 at 7:50 pm
Tags: Doris Smith-Ribner, Jonathan Saidel, Lt. Gov., Scott Conklin
Leave a Reply
pa2012.com blogs
Red in a Sea of Blue
Purple in Pennsylvania
The Latest from @pa2012 news
More UpdatesStay connected with pa2012.com:
advertisement
advertisement
advertisement
Conklin close to declaring victory « State House Sound Bites
May 19th, 2010
[...] to PA2010 and Capit0lwire, State Representative Scott Conklin has all but declared victory in the Democratic [...]
The Democratic Party is DOA
May 19th, 2010
The PA Democratic Party could not deliver Ice to an Eskimo
Ono"RAT" o
May 19th, 2010
We are going to make sure in Philadelphia, that us hard working ,loyal Philadelphia Democrats give Dan Ona”rat”o what he and other fellow Democrats from the Central, Northern (think crime =Lackawana) and Western areas of the State truly deserve in November: A RESOUNDING DEFEAT! There will be no “family squabble” line from Democratic City Committee. Pittsburgh and the aforementioned areas of the State, Hate Philadelphia. It is time to show these backstabbing blowhards who we really are! Payback Time Dictator Dan. DEMOCRATS FOR CORBETT
Brett Liberman
aajane
May 19th, 2010
In case there is some confusion, the comment above is not from the Brett Lieberman who used to work for a PA newspaper and wrote the Pennsyltucky Politics blog. It may be someone with the same name or someone using that name without knowing that it might invoke real person. I checked in with Pennsyltucky Brett and he confirmed that he did not leave the comment.
BLB
May 19th, 2010
All it shows is that party endorsements are worth about as much as TP on a tree on Devil’s Night.
LTCF Democrat
May 19th, 2010
Its clear that Conklin was the choice as being the candidate who supports the Second Amendment and was rewarded by Democrats all over PA. I myself wrote in a dead man, Charleton Heston, for Governor since all candidates were so anti-gun.
My vote, campaign $ and the obligatory yardsign is already pledged to Tom Corbett come November!
Give me a pro gun Democrat Like Keith McCall next election and he’ll get it!
Brett
May 20th, 2010
As I say and I say again Conklin Rules!! Saidel take your retirement graciously and with Arlen, you two are a good start to poker night together.
Jay
May 20th, 2010
Perhaps this is support of an Arkansas-style run-off. A Lt. Gov who didn’t ever receive 40% of the vote may be able to claim victory, but they cannot claim that they are the choice of the people. Saidel may have under estimated Conklin, but he under estimated Smith-Ribner more. That was his downfall.
Wasnt Seidel Involved with Giving his girlfriend some goodies from the City of Philadelphia against the Law
May 20th, 2010
I remember he was involved in some kind of trouble back in the Day doesd anyone remember what the trouble was that he was in and if so why was he backed by the Party
The People Just said NO To the Democratic Party Establishment trying to Shove Bad Candidates Down Our Throats
May 20th, 2010
From Now On The Party should not endorse in the Primary It was Just Plain Wrong For TJ Wrongy to Trash Joe Sestak Now he has to turn around and Kiss Sestaks ass How foolish does TJ Wrongy look now can you say Egg On The Face Let the People decide and make it easier to run for Public Office
David Diano
May 20th, 2010
LTCF Democrat
Umm… Onorato is very pro-gun.
The People…
The People Just said NO To the Democratic Party Establishment trying to Shove Bad Candidates Down Our Throats .. and picked their own bad candidate.
This is a very disappointing year with no one worthwhile in November to vote for.
Hoeffel was the only statewide candidate worth a damn this year, and he wasn’t electable.
Ono"RAT" o
May 20th, 2010
Brett – Be a man and come out of the closet. As long as you keep trashing Saidel, we can assure you that we will not stop. Capice? Now – Nunzio wanted to remind you in Italian about you, your wife/or mother and your new name: (Brett Un Pompinaio)
Potete succhiare il mio pisello come il vostro ampio e madre faceva l’altro giorno. Ho amato fottutamente la merda fuori della vostra madre l’asino, ma ama mio grasso e per la sua enorme pisello.
Mic
May 23rd, 2010
Those of you who do not know Scott Conklin are missing the opportunity to vote for a real down to earth, “for the people” guy. I don’t agree with the Dems either, but Scott isn’t a politician; he genuinely cares about the people he serves. You’ve got to know the guy. Look at his bio compared to Saidel’s and Ribner; he’s a trade school carpenter for Heavens sake! Not your usual politician.
Oh, regrding previous post…some of us speak Italian…keep it clean, please.
Nunzio
May 23rd, 2010
Sì lei asshole Mic – Potete succhiare il mio pisello come il vostro ampio e madre faceva l’altro giorno. Ho amato fottutamente la merda fuori della vostra madre l’asino, ma ama mio grasso e per la sua enorme pisello.
Scott è un fottutamente phony e giunca commesso. Lei e lui può andare cazzo voi
Nunzio
May 23rd, 2010
Ono”RATo” succhiare il mio dick
Cats r Flyfishn
May 23rd, 2010
I supported Conklin because he was from Center County and I live in southeastern PA. I didn’t know any of the candidates for Lt. Governor.
Brett
May 23rd, 2010
Hey Nunzio
Saidel lost ya hoo!! and that is plain english, you are Saidels bag man, get him his cash, and then get that pretzel I told you to get for me, ya hoo, Scott Conklin kicked Saidel’s butt which should be in the slammer, 10 years in the Fed for taking payoffs from law firms to exert influence on city hall while he served in office, indict Saidel
Question
May 23rd, 2010
Has Marty Marks won a campaign yet? Saidel was a strong candidate with a ton of money. How did Marks lose this? And how does he still get work? I can’t think of a reason why one person could be so bad at campaign managing.The only thing I can think of is maybe he is a republican plant losing campaigns for dems on purpose. This guy should get ‘laughed off’ the democratic party. Saidel should get a refund. My hats off to the Conklin operation.
Nunzio
May 24th, 2010
Brett lei merda mangiare pussy: ho legato il mio dick in un pretzel e ha nella vostra moglie l’asino e poi nella vostra madre della bocca. Vostra madre strangolata sulla mia enorme gallo e poi mi suonň mio carico sia sul vostro madre e moglie facce. Poi ho preso il mio enorme, grasso e di rubinetto fottuto la merda vive su di loro. Tutto per te cazzo volto. WHat a champ youa momma and pig a wife///Fantastica!
Deciding the Number Two Spot on the Ticket
May 25th, 2010
[...] early statements indicate he will challenge the results. It’s not unexpected since Saidel openly mocked other candidates to reporters and never spent money he raised since he assumed he would [...]
Inbred Brett
May 26th, 2010
RECOUNT – check the bastard counties!
Sergio
May 26th, 2010
Conklin will win the recount