Argall narrowly wins primary in 17th

State Senator Dave Argall (R-Schuylkill) just barely edged out a win in the 17th District Republican primary Tuesday, winning the Republican Party’s nomination by less than 1,000 votes in the central Pennsylvania district.

Preliminary election returns showed Argall winning 32.4 percent of the vote, with Frank Ryan, a military veteran who has run for the seat before, finishing just behind him at 31 percent. Josh First came in third place with about 23 percent of…

May 19, 2010 at 5:04 am | Comments (3)

Poll finds Holden vulnerable; large undecided bloc in GOP primary

Congressman Tim Holden (D-17) is suffering from the same low electability ratings afflicting many incumbent members of Congress, but the perceived Republican front-runner in the primary to face him has hardly sealed the nomination, according to a new poll.

The survey to be released Wednesday by the GOP firm Susquehanna Polling & Research found 42 percent of likely voters saying Holden doesn’t deserve reelection, while only 38 percent say he does deserve another term in…

May 12, 2010 at 7:45 am | Comments (0)

Holden opts out of a primary debate

Democrat Sheila Dow Ford was set to show up at Wednesday night’s planned debate between her and Congressman Tim Holden (D-17)—but she was also set to debate an empty chair.

Holden’s campaign manager, Eric Nagy, said the incumbent would not be at the evening debate because of scheduled votes in Congress.

“As a constituent, I would certainly feel better knowing the congressman is in D.C.,” Nagy told pa2010.com.

The Kutztown Area Democratic Club and the…

April 21, 2010 at 5:15 pm | Comments (16)

Holden and Dow-Ford to debate Wednesday

The Democratic candidates in the 17th Congressional District are set to square off in the first debate this week.

Congressman Tim Holden (D-17) and education policy advocate Sheila Dow-Ford will share a stage Wednesday evening at Kutztown University. The 7 p.m. event is being sponsored by the Kutztown University College Democrats and the Kutztown Area Democratic Club.

Holden is the overwhelming favorite to win renomination on May 18, but he nonetheless spearheaded a legal challenge…

April 20, 2010 at 1:46 pm | Comments (4)

Holden’s primary challenger stays on the ballot

After a long day in court last week, Democrat Sheila Dow-Ford will remain on the ballot against Congressman Tim Holden (D-17). Commonwealth Court Judge James R. Kelley on Monday ruled against a ballot challenge brought by one of Holden’s supporters, clearing the way for Dow-Ford to continue her underdog campaign in the central Pennsylvania district.

“It is a clear vindication for all the hard work, energy, courage and commitment of the many Sheila Dow-Ford for Congress supporters,” Dow-Ford…

April 12, 2010 at 7:30 pm | Comments (11)

LEFTOVERS: No AFL-CIO for Holden, Stilp on Corbett’s lawsuit, a Vodvarka video

A few things slipped by us at the end of last week.

The state AFL-CIO decided not to endorse Congressman Tim Holden (D-17) in his reelection bid, signaling some of the first fallout for Democrats who voted against the newly-enacted health care reform legislation. Holden voted against the bill both times it came before the House. The umbrella labor group didn’t endorse Holden’s primary opponent, education policy advocate Sheila Dow-Ford, who has made Holden’s opposition…

April 4, 2010 at 2:26 pm | Comments (10)

Dow-Ford criticizes Holden for ballot challenge

Democrat Sheila Dow-Ford says the ballot challenge against her is little more than a political distraction manufactured by Congressman Tim Holden (D-17) to divert attention from the issues and his recent vote against health care reform legislation.

Dow-Ford, who is mounting an underdog challenge to Holden in the May primary, is having her nominating petitions challenged in court by Yesenia Rosado, an employee at the state Department of Community and Economic Development. Ballot challenges are…

March 30, 2010 at 9:52 am | Comments (3)

BALLOT CHALLENGE UPDATE: Hearings scheduled, one case closed

While we continue to look into some of the more high-profile ballot challenges, here are some updates.

A petition to keep Republican Jean Craige Pepper of the primary ballot for Lieutenant Governor has already been set aside. We’re still trying to figure out exactly why, but from a quick review of court documents, it looks like the complaint was simply withdrawn. That means a whopping nine Republicans will indeed vie for GOP votes for Lt.…

March 19, 2010 at 6:08 pm | Comments (5)

Dow-Ford declares against Holden; still staffing up

Congressman Tim Holden’s recent statement that

March 14, 2010 at 2:23 pm | Comments (11)

Underdogs gear up in the 17th

To political watchers, the race in the 17th Congressional District is a showdown between incumbent Democrat Tim Holden and state Senator Dave Argall (R-Schuylkill)—as well as one more competitive House race in a state full of them.

But before the two can face each other in November, they’ll each have to face a primary against underdogs determined to make a dent. Argall’s GOP opponents recently made their first mark, when the Dauphin County Republican Committee…

February 22, 2010 at 7:45 am | Comments (5)