PA-04: Lynn Swann (R) to the rescue?
Important swing seat may get major challenger
By Adam C Posted in 2008 — Comments (4) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
After Lynn Swann lost the gubernatorial election of 2006, he could have walked off the field and moved on with other goals in life. Fortunately for Republicans and especially the PA GOP, Mr. Swann is considering a run for PA-04. Melissa Hart (R) lost the seat in 2006 to Jason Altmire (D). Although Swann lost in 2006, there are a lot of good reasons to give him a shot at a smaller office.
PA-04 went 54-45 for Bush and consists mainly of the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh (full of Steelers fans and none of the Eagles fans that assuredly supported Rendell (D) in the governors race).
Interestingly, if Swann won he would probably represent the whitest district of any black representative since reconstruction (94% white, 3% black). Even J.C. Watts' district (OK-04) was 78% white, 7% black. Hopefully this kind of color-blind voting will be so common in the future that it wouldn't be noteworthy, but a Swann win in a mostly white suburban district would still be a notable event on the path toward a color-blind society.
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PA-04: Lynn Swann (R) to the rescue? 4 Comments (0 topical, 4 editorial, 0 hidden) Post a comment »
If memory serves, Swann was the only Republican candidate to win the 4th CD last election (one of the reason Senator Santorum and Congresswoman Hart are now "formers"). Based on that I'd guess Swann is better suited to win the district than Hart.
"The Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions."
Because she didn't want to campaign because it interfered with drum lessons she was planning on taking so she could play in a band with her House colleagues in the current Congress.
I don't think we need her back.
he said that he was considering such a run. (Here's my RedState story regarding it. The Pittsburgh Tribune Review, the paper with the Zito column Adam linked, did not cover it, as far as I know.
Salena is just now reporting it.
My own sources tell me that Swann has been approached, but I don't know the extent of the talks or of what has happened recently.
Word is, Hart might want her seat back. I liked her, as well, but I'm a big fan of Lynn Swann. Yes, politically as well.
Would Hart be a better candidate? Is she thinking of running? I liked her a lot!