Misplaced Pages

2012 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by DJ Silverfish (talk | contribs) at 23:20, 27 August 2012 (Candidates: added reference for Rayburn Smith, Libertarian candidate). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Revision as of 23:20, 27 August 2012 by DJ Silverfish (talk | contribs) (Candidates: added reference for Rayburn Smith, Libertarian candidate)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)

United States Senate election in Pennsylvania, 2012

← 2006 November 6, 2012 2018 →
  File:Tom Smith, US Senate Candidate.png
Nominee Bob Casey, Jr. Tom Smith
Party Democratic Republican

U.S. senator before election

Bob Casey, Jr.
Democratic

Elected U.S. Senator

TBD

Elections in Pennsylvania
Federal government
U.S. President
Presidential primaries
Democratic
2000
2004
2008
2016
2020
2024
Republican
2008
2016
2020
2024
U.S. Senate
U.S. House of Representatives
State government
Governor
Lieutenant Governor
Attorney General
Auditor General
State Treasurer
State Senate
State House of Representatives
Elections by year
State elections
Philadelphia
Mayoral elections
City Council elections
Other municipal elections
Pittsburgh
Mayors
Allentown
Mayors
2025
Lancaster
Mayors
Harrisburg
Mayors
Government

The 2012 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania will be held on November 6, 2012, alongside a presidential election, other elections to the United States Senate in other states, as well as elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Bob Casey, Jr. is running for re-election to a second term against Republican nominee Tom Smith.

Background

On November 7, 2006, Bob Casey, Jr., the State Treasurer and son of former Governor Bob Casey, Sr., defeated two-term incumbent Republican Senator Rick Santorum with 58.64% of votes cast. Santorum's margin of defeat was the largest for an incumbent Republican Senator in Pennsylvania history; it was also the first time a Democrat was elected to a full Senate term from Pennsylvania since Joseph Clark was re-elected in 1962.

Pennsylvania is considered a battleground state; since the 1970 election of Governor Milton Shapp, no governor has lost his bid for re-election and partisan control of the governorship has alternated between Democratic and Republican. Additionally, Republicans have controlled the State Senate since 1995, while Democrats assumed control of the State House following the 2006 election, only to lose control in the 2010 election. The state has, however, voted for every Democratic presidential candidate from 1992 onwards.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Results

Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bob Casey, Jr. 565,488 80.9
Democratic Joseph Vodvarka 133,683 19.1
Total votes 699,171 100

Republican primary

Candidates

On ballot

Withdrew

  • Tim Burns, businessman and unsuccessful candidate for the 12th district in the 2010 special and general elections
  • Laureen Cummings, Tea Party activist
  • John Vernon, retired Army colonel

Campaign

In January 2012, the Pennsylvania Republican Party officially endorsed Steve Welch for U.S. Senate. The largest state newspaper, Philadelphia Inquirer, also endorsed Welch. He was also endorsed by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. However, he was criticized for changing his party registration. In 2008, he became a Democrat so he could vote for Barack Obama in the 2008 Democratic presidential primary. In 2006, he donated money to Democrat U.S. Congressman Joe Sestak.

Tom Smith spent nearly $3 million in the first three months of 2012, outspending Welch 2-1. Smith has spent a wide majority of it in television advertising. Like Welch, Smith has also registered as a Democrat. However, unlike Welch who was a registered Democrat for only a few years, Smith was a Democrat for 42 years. Smith was a Plumcreek Township Supervisor and allegedly raised taxes 9 times (including the real estate, earned income, and per capita taxes). Over the past decade, he donated over $185,000 to Republican candidates. The only Democrat he donated to was U.S. Congressman Jason Altmire, a moderate Blue Dog.

Sam Rohrer, a former State Representative, ran for statewide office again after losing to State Attorney General Tom Corbett in the 2010 Republican primary for Pennsylvania Governor. Rohrer was endorsed by various tea party organizations, as well as U.S. Congresswoman Michele Bachmann and 2012 Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain.

David Christian, a Vietnam war veteran and businessman, also ran. He previously ran for congress in 1984 and 1986. He was endorsed by the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Tim
Burns
Laureen
Cummings
David
Christian
John
Kensinger
Sam
Rohrer
Marc
Scaringi
Tom
Smith
John
Vernon
Steve
Welch
Other Undecided
Franklin & Marshall College March 20–25, 2012 505 ± 4.2% 1% 7% 1% 9% 1% 81%
Public Policy Polling March 8–11, 2012 564 ± 4.1% 10% 16% 8% 12% 5% 48%
Tribune-Review/WPXI-TV February 2–6, 2012 500 ± 4.4% 1% 3% 10% 1% 8% 1% 72%
Public Policy Polling November 17–20, 2011 400 ± 4.9% 15% 2% 25% 0% 3% 1% 1% 8% 43%

Results

Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom Smith 299,726 39.5
Republican Sam Rohrer 169,118 22.3
Republican Steve Welch 158,181 20.9
Republican David Christian 79,581 10.5
Republican Marc Scaringi 51,908 6.8
Total votes 758,514 100

General election

Candidates

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Bob
Casey, Jr. (D)
Tom
Smith (R)
Other Undecided
Philadelphia Inquirer August 21-23, 2012 601 ± 4% 53% 34% 13%
MCall/Muhlenburg Poll August 20-22, 2012 422 ± 5% 49% 30% 18%
Franklin & Marshall College August 7-12, 2012 681 ± 3.8% 35% 23% 2% 39%
Quinnipiac July 24-30, 2012 1,168 ± 2.9% 55% 37% 8%
Public Policy Polling July 21-23, 2012 758 ± 3.6% 46% 36% 18%
Rasmussen Reports July 18, 2012 500 ± 4.5% 49% 38% 9%
We Ask America July 9-10, 2012 1,227 ± 2.8% 53% 39% 8%
Quinnipiac June 19-25, 2012 1,252 ± 2.8% 49% 32% 1% 17%
Quinnipiac June 5–10, 2012 997 ± 3.1% 51% 32% 1% 14%
Franklin & Marshall College May 29–June 4, 2012 412 ± 4.8% 42% 21% 2% 35%
Rasmussen Reports May 21, 2012 500 ± 4.5% 48% 41% 3% 7%
Public Policy Polling May 17–20, 2012 671 ± 3.8% 49% 33% 19%
Public Policy Polling March 8–11, 2012 689 ± 3.7% 49% 31% 20%
Public Policy Polling November 17–20, 2011 500 ± 4.4% 48% 32% 20%

Hypothetical polling

Republican Primary
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Jake
Corman
Laureen
Cummings
Charlie
Dent
Jim
Gerlach
Tim
Murphy
Rick
Santorum
Marc
Scaringi
Mark
Schweiker
Kim
Ward
Other/
Undecided
Public Policy Polling June 30 – July 5, 2011 376 ± 5.1% 9% 5% 4% 7% 9% 47% 1% 0% 18%
Public Policy Polling January 3–5, 2011 400 ± 4.9% 3% 8% 9% 7% 45% 1% 8% 1% 19%
9% 10% 14% 13% 1% 18% 2% 33%
General election
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Bob
Casey, Jr. (D)
Republican Depends on
the candidate
Undecided
Quinnipiac March 7–12, 2012 1256 ± 2.8% 46% 34% 8% 12%
Morning Call February 15–21, 2012 625 ± 4% 40% 25% 20% 14%
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Bob
Casey, Jr. (D)
Tim
Burns (R)
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling November 17–20, 2011 500 ± 4.4% 49% 34% 17%
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Bob
Casey, Jr. (D)
David
Christian (R)
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling March 8–11, 2012 689 ± 3.7% 50% 32% 18%
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Bob
Casey, Jr. (D)
Jake
Corman (R)
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling June 30 – July 5, 2011 545 ± 4.2% 51% 35% 14%
Public Policy Polling April 7–10, 2011 593 ± 4.0% 51% 35% 14%
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Bob
Casey, Jr. (D)
Laureen
Cummings (R)
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling June 30 – July 5, 2011 545 ± 4.2% 51% 31% 18%
Public Policy Polling April 7–10, 2011 593 ± 4.0% 51% 32% 17%
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Bob
Casey, Jr. (D)
Charlie
Dent (R)
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling April 7–10, 2011 593 ± 4.0% 51% 31% 18%
Municipoll February 21–23, 2011 670 ± 3.79.% 51% 32% 17%
Public Policy Polling January 3–5, 2011 547 ± 4.2% 51% 31% 18%
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Bob
Casey, Jr. (D)
Jim
Gerlach (R)
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling June 30 – July 5, 2011 545 ± 4.2% 49% 33% 17%
Public Policy Polling April 7–10, 2011 593 ± 4.0% 50% 32% 19%
Municipoll February 21–23, 2011 670 ± 3.79.% 48% 34% 17%
Public Policy Polling January 3–5, 2011 547 ± 4.2% 49% 33% 18%
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Bob
Casey, Jr. (D)
Tim
Murphy (R)
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling June 30 – July 5, 2011 545 ± 4.2% 47% 35% 18%
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Bob
Casey, Jr. (D)
Sam
Rohrer (R)
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling March 8–11, 2012 689 ± 3.7% 49% 34% 17%
Public Policy Polling November 17–20, 2011 500 ± 4.4% 47% 36% 16%
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Bob
Casey, Jr. (D)
Rick
Santorum (R)
Other Undecided
Morning Call February 15–21, 2012 625 ± 4% 44% 36% 7% 12%
Public Policy Polling November 17–20, 2011 500 ± 4.4% 49% 39% 11%
Public Policy Polling June 30 – July 5, 2011 545 ± 4.2% 48% 39% 13%
Public Policy Polling April 7–10, 2011 593 ± 4.0% 49% 37% 13%
Municipoll February 21–23, 2011 670 ± 3.79.% 50% 38% 12%
Public Policy Polling January 3–5, 2011 547 ± 4.2% 48% 41% 10%
Public Policy Polling June 19–21, 2010 609 ± 4.0% 51% 39% 10%
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Bob
Casey, Jr. (D)
Marc
Scaringi (R)
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling March 8–11, 2012 689 ± 3.7% 49% 29% 22%
Public Policy Polling June 30 – July 5, 2011 545 ± 4.2% 47% 29% 24%
Public Policy Polling April 7–10, 2011 593 ± 4.0% 51% 28% 21%
Public Policy Polling January 3–5, 2011 547 ± 4.2% 50% 27% 22%
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Bob
Casey, Jr. (D)
Mark
Schweiker (R)
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling January 3–5, 2011 547 ± 4.2% 47% 34% 18%
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Bob
Casey, Jr. (D)
Kim
Ward (R)
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling April 7–10, 2011 593 ± 4.0% 50% 29% 21%
Poll source Date(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin of
error
Bob
Casey, Jr. (D)
Steve
Welch (R)
Other Undecided
Public Policy Polling March 8–11, 2012 689 ± 3.7% 49% 31 22%
Public Policy Polling November 17–20, 2011 500 ± 4.4% 47% 33% 20%


Results

United States Senate election in Pennsylvania, 2012
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Bob Casey, Jr.
Republican Tom Smith
Libertarian Rayburn Smith
Majority
Turnout

See also

References

  1. Itkowitz, Colby (November 21, 2010). "Mellow Casey has to up profile for re-election". The Morning Call. Retrieved November 25, 2010.
  2. ^ Malloy, Daniel (November 26, 2010). "Murrysville native planning for 2010 run against Casey". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved November 26, 2010.
  3. Itkowitz, Colby (February 15, 2012). "Petitions filed for Pa. primary". The Allentown Morning Call. Retrieved February 22, 2012.
  4. ^ "2012 General Primary: United States Senator". PA Department of State. Retrieved April 25, 2012.
  5. "2012: David Christian Enters U.S. Senate Race". Pike County Republican Committee. Retrieved September 24, 2011.
  6. Reabuck, Sandra K. (September 28, 2011). "New Paris pharmacist seeks GOP nomination". The Tribune-Democrat. Retrieved September 30, 2011.
  7. Levy, Marc (November 4, 2011). "Sam Rohrer to run for Casey's Senate seat". MSNBC. Retrieved November 6, 2011.
  8. Guerriero, John (September 29, 2011). "Armstrong County Republican announces candidacy for U.S. Senate in Erie". Erie Times-News. Retrieved September 30, 2011.
  9. Gibson, Keegan (September 13, 2011). "Welch to Enter Senate Race". PoliticsPA. Retrieved September 14, 2011.
  10. "Burns Exits Senate Race". PoliticsPA. February 2, 2012. Retrieved February 2, 2011.
  11. Gibson, Keegan (January 14, 2012). "Cummings Drops Out of Senate Race, Endorses Burns". Politics PA. Retrieved January 16, 2012.
  12. Jerry, Tara (January 16, 2012). "Vernon Endorses Burns for Senate". Politics PA. Retrieved January 17, 2012.
  13. Levy, Mark (January 29, 2012). "Pa. GOP endorses Welch to challenge Sen. Casey". Associated Press. Retrieved April 28, 2012.
  14. "Smith outspends, outraises Welch in US Senate race". Associated Press. April 13, 2012. Retrieved April 28, 2012.
  15. Gibson, Keegan (April 16, 2012). "Where's Tom Smith?". PoliticsPA. Retrieved April 28, 2012.
  16. Gibson, Keegan (March 26, 2012). "Smith Tax Votes Play in Senate Campaign". PoliticsPA. Retrieved April 28, 2012.
  17. Gibson, Keegan (August 17, 2011). "Sen. Candidate Smith a Heavyweight GOP Donor". PoliticsPA. Retrieved April 28, 2012.
  18. Gibson, Keegan (March 28, 2012). "Bachmann Endorses Rohrer". PoliticsPA. Retrieved April 28, 2012.
  19. "Primary 2012: Nominate Christian". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved April 28, 2012.
  20. Brennan, Kevin (April 24, 2012). "Smith Wins Pennsylvania Senate Primary". National Journal. Retrieved April 25, 2012.
  21. "11/6/2012 2012 GENERAL ELECTION GENERAL CANDIDATE LIST" (PDF). Pennsylvania Department of State. Retrieved August 27, 2012.

External links

Official campaign websites
(2011 ←)   2012 United States elections   (→ 2013)
U.S.
President
U.S.
Senate
U.S.
House

(Election
ratings
)
Governors
Attorneys
general
Other
statewide
elections
State
legislatures
Mayoral
States and
territories
Categories: