Good news for all progressive minded northwestern Pennsylvanians (there are so many of you): The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has listed the Pennsylvania's 3rd District as one of its targeted 2008 races to unseat a Republican incumbent. The 3rd District includes Erie County and parts of Armstrong, Butler, Crawford, Mercer, Venango and Warren counties. Including Allegheny College (my alma mater). Hooray.
Representative Chris Van Hollen (MD-08), the head of the DCCC, released a memo, available here, where he expressed confidence in the recruitment of candidates in Republican districts. One of which is the seat currently held by Phil English, PA's 3rd District. English was elected in the Republican wave of 1994 and has not had a serious challenger since 1996. He defeated perennial office-seeker Steve Porter by a margin of 53%-42% in 2006. And it looks like English might have a fight ahead of him in 2008.
At least three Democrats have stepped forward to challenge English. Kyle Foust is the DCCC's hand-picked candidate, it seems. Van Hollen says of Foust, "Foust is an Erie County Councilman with a reputation as a leader who reaches across party lines to get things done for his constituents." Phil English was an Erie Councilman before running for Congress, so this would make for an interesting match-up if Foust were to get the Democratic nod. Both men were born in Erie and will be battling for it's heart and soul. Check out Foust's campaign website here.
Another credible challenger is Erie lawyer, Tom Myers (no known website found). Lastly of the known challengers is Mike Waltner, a religious leader from Erie. You can check out his campaign website here.
It is also assumed that Steve Porter will try again to vacate Mr. English from his seat. I wish he wouldn't, but he will anyway.
The Democratic Party primary will be an exciting one in Pennsylvania's 3rd District. The heightened competition will bring national attention, and money, to the general election race. English will have his hands full and it should prove to be an interesting race to watch. Western PA saw an exciting race in 2006 in the 4th District with Democrat challenger Jason Altmire defeating incumbent Melissa Hart. Altmire ran solely on a campaign of change and that same theme will likely be used to oust English. Phil English was actually Melissa Hart's chief of staff when she was in the State Senate. Let's see if 2008 brings the same treatment to English as 2006 did to his boss.
-Wyatt Earp
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