LEFTOVERS: Inky on Corbett, NRCC on Rothfus, Catholics United for Dahlkemper

Looks like The Inquirer wants Tom Corbett to “quit his day job.” Philly’s paper of record published

July 21, 2010 at 3:44 pm | Comments (23)

Rothfus staffs up for November

Slowly but surely, Republican Keith Rothfus is building a bit more of a campaign in the 4th Congressional District.

Rothfus, who provided the rare fundraising bright spot for GOP challengers in recent campaign finance disclosures, has made two senior-level hires, with plans for at least one more later this summer. Jonathan Raso is the campaign’s new, full-time finance director, while Jared Stutzman is the new volunteer coordinator.

Stutzman recently worked on Tim Burns’ 12th District…

July 20, 2010 at 9:14 am | Comments (4)

Altmire has more than $1.4M in the bank

Congressman Jason Altmire (D-4) is enjoying a huge advantage in campaign cash as he seeks reelection to a third term.

Altmire raised almost $300,000 in May and June, finishing the reporting period with more than $1.4 million in cash on hand, according to newly filed

July 13, 2010 at 9:21 am | Comments (2)

Rothfus has about $200K on hand (Updated)

After pulling off a big primary upset in the 4th Congressional District, Republican Keith Rothfus has apparently rebuilt most of the campaign war chest he had.

Rothfus, an Edgeworth lawyer, will show more than $200,000 in the bank when campaign finance reports are filed this week, an adviser said. The adviser, Michael O’Connell, called that amount “not half bad for a campaign that finished a primary six weeks ago and is raising money in a…

July 12, 2010 at 12:33 pm | Comments (4)

Altmire calls Rothfus an ‘extremist candidate’

Congressman Jason Altmire (D-4) is ready to define his Republican opponent, and the message he’s decided on is a simple one: Keith Rothfus is a radical right-winger.

“The choice in this year’s election could not be more clear,” Altmire wrote in an e-mail to supporters this week. “Western Pennsylvanians can choose to support a congressman who has always put the district first, even when it means standing up to his party’s leadership, or an extremist…

June 29, 2010 at 5:56 pm | Comments (8)

Altmire’s camp not talking politics yet

Most elected officials facing challenges in the fall are already publicly framing the debate against their opponents. Not Congressman Jason Altmire (D-4).

Altmire’s campaign has been relatively quiet since Republican Keith Rothfus won the May primary and the chance to challenge him in November. And when it comes to dealing with the media, Altmire’s camp has decided that for now, silence is golden. Campaign manager Rachael Heisler confirmed this week that the campaign simply isn’t…

June 21, 2010 at 12:14 pm | Comments (1)

Rothfus: Altmire’s votes against health care won’t kill the subject

Some Republican challengers whose Democratic opponents voted against health care reform appear ready to let the issue take a political backseat in November. Not Keith Rothfus.

Rothfus, the GOP nominee in the 4th District, still has plenty to say about Congressman Altmire’s (D-4) two votes against the measure. In a recent interview with pa2010.com, Rothfus noted that Altmire was one of the last lawmakers to stay on the fence during the acrimonious debate, calling that…

June 17, 2010 at 11:31 am | Comments (9)

Altmire’s possible labor pains

One labor leader was so incensed with Congressman Jason Altmire’s (D-4) opposition to health care reform that considered a run against the sophomore lawmaker. Ultimately, Jack Shea opted against the uphill battle of an independent or write-in campaign—but that doesn’t mean he’s embracing Altmire ahead of the November election.

In a recent interview with pa2010.com, Shea reiterated his dissatisfaction with Altmire’s health care votes, and predicted that the congressman might struggle to rally…

June 7, 2010 at 1:45 pm | Comments (3)

GOPer says Altmire ‘walking on egg shells’—Altmire camp not biting

Keith Rothfus and his Republican supporters in the 4th Congressional District are already talking some trash ahead of the November showdown with incumbent Democrat Jason Altmire. But Altmire’s campaign, at least for now, is staying out of the fray.

“The Congressman is focused on doing the job he was elected to do, and won’t be responding to campaign related press inquiries for the time being,” campaign manager Rachael Heisler said in an e-mail this week,…

May 25, 2010 at 7:37 pm | Comments (6)

Rothfus sets sights on Altmire, big spending

When it comes to congressional campaigns, all publicity is not good publicity.

That is the lesson Republicans are taking from the results of last week’s 4th District Republican primary, in which underdog lawyer Keith Rothfus comfortably beat the well-known former U.S. attorney Mary Beth Buchanan. Rothfus secured almost two-thirds of the vote, despite Buchanan’s high level of name recognition in the District.

In that contest, Buchanan’s campaign stayed on the defensive for weeks and committed…

May 24, 2010 at 4:46 pm | Comments (0)