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Marino tops GOP rivals, will face Carney

Former U.S. Attorney came out on top in a three-man Republican primary for Congress in the 10th District, setting up a competitive general election contest with incumbent Democrat Chris Carney.

Marino won 41 percent of the vote, besting Luzerne County chiropractor David Madeira’s 31 percent and Snyder County Commissioner Malcolm Derk’s 28 percent. It was a primary that the party had largely allowed to play out unfettered, and while no candidate significantly separated himself from the pack in fundraising or organization, Marino’s name recognition from his time as U.S. Attorney and his support within the local party infrastructure proved to be enough.

His campaign did not return messages seeking comment late Tuesday night, but Democrats quickly set about the task of discrediting him, once again bringing up his close business and personal relationship with the legally troubled casino magnate Louis DeNaples.

“The numbers in the Republican Primary speak for themselves,” Shripal Shah, a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee spokesman, said in a statement. “Tom ‘Casino’ Marino barely survived his own primary because he is a flawed candidate whose values are out of step with the 10th District. The more that voters get to know Tom ‘Casino’ Marino, the more they will realize that he’s the wrong bet for Pennsylvania.”

Carney took a softer tack, again allowing his party to stay on the attack for him.

“I look forward to a vigorous debate about the issues facing our region and the differences I have with my opponent over how best to keep our country safe and keep our economy on track for a full recovery,” the the second-term congressman said in a statement. “I am proud to be one of the most fiscally conservative Democrats in Congress and to have amassed among the most independent records. I have always put our region above any political party.”

The race is currently ranked No. 7 on the pa2010.com Congressional Power Rankings.

May 19, 2010 at 4:35 am

--Dan McQuade

Tags: Chris Carney, David Maderia, Malcolm Derk, PA-10, Tom Marino

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