Kelly hopes to unite local GOP after tough primary

The six-way Republican primary in the 3rd Congressional District was as contentious as any other in the state, with candidates and grassroots activists feuding over just who was the most conservative choice. But now that pSo Kelly is hoping…

June 7, 2010 at 10:43 am | Comments (3)

Kelly eeks out a win in crowded primary to face Dahlkemper

BUTLER—Republican Mike Kelly narrowly edged out a crowded primary field in the 3rd Congressional District Tuesday, topping his closes rival by less than 1,000 votes and winning the chance to take on Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper (D-3) in the fall.

It was several hours after the polls closed before news organizations began calling the race for Kelly, a well-known car dealer here. Both Kelly and primary rival Paul Huber had loaned their campaigns more than $300,000,…

May 19, 2010 at 6:30 am | Comments (10)

Kelly spends big on mail in 3rd District; about $800K for Dahlkemper

Republican Mike Kelly spent thousands of dollars on direct-mail advertising in April, as his campaign continued a lesser emphasis on TV advertising ahead of the 3rd District primary.

Kelly raised about $38,000 during the period, according to full story

May 7, 2010 at 7:15 am | Comments (2)

Grabb promises 4 terms max, will ‘cut Obama off at the knees’

ERIE—If there was ever a candidate for the current political climate, Clayton Grabb would seem to be it.

A Tea Party activist and Republican hopeful in the 3rd Congressional District, Grabb is a Navy veteran who proudly calls America a “Christian nation,” talks glowingly of term limits and says he has “no loyalty at all” to the party. He strikes a fiercely populist tone in public appearances and in one-on-one conversations, and is decidedly an…

May 3, 2010 at 10:30 am | Comments (57)

Martha Moore, everyone’s favorite debate partner

MEADVILLE—Five of the candidates in the 3rd District Republican primary can agree on one thing: They’re all fans of the sixth candidate in the race, Martha Moore.

“I want to get you on Leno,” primary opponent Steven Fisher told Moore recently.

“She is entertaining, to say the least,” candidate Paul Huber said.

Moore, a doctor with her own practice in Sandy Lake, has emerged as the fiery, folksy populist in the crowded field to take…

April 29, 2010 at 10:45 pm | Comments (12)

3rd District GOP hopefuls talk economy, national security

MEADVILLE—Six Republicans vying for the chance to take on Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper (D-3) shared a stage Monday night for the latest in several debates for the crowded GOP filed, one that revealed little substantive policy differences between the candidates while still showcasing a world of stylistic contrasts.

The debate before about 200 people at Allegheny College here featured frequent populist rallying cries, criticism of Dahlkemper and calls for lower taxes and smaller government. The candidates…

April 27, 2010 at 8:00 am | Comments (18)

Kelly ready for competitive primary

To most first-time candidates for Congress, a crowded primary field can be daunting, especially when the incumbent has raised over $1 million and other candidates are willing to loan tens of thousands of dollars to their own campaigns—all in a district that boasts one of the cheapest media markets in the state.

But Mike Kelly says he’s ready.

Kelly, who announced his GOP bid in the 3rd Congressional District late last month, told pa2010.com that…

February 9, 2010 at 8:30 am | Comments (14)

Butler businessman wants to challenge Dahlkemper

Butler County businessman Mike Kelly declared his candidacy for the GOP nomination to take on Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper (D-3) on Wednesday, becoming the sixth Republican to vie for the chance to challenge the freshman lawmaker.

“After much deliberation, prayer, and conversation with my family I decided that I could not sit by and watch our county move further and further away from the values and concerns of every day people,” Kelly said in a statement.…

January 27, 2010 at 5:18 pm | Comments (2)