Crowded House Primary Turns Spotlight on Mid-PA

March 13th, 2008, posted by Greg Palmer

Nine Republicans and three Democrats are competing for the seat held by Rep. John Peterson, a Republican retiring at the end of his term. The district, which includes a wide swath of central and northern Pennsylvania, includes State College but is predominantly rural. Peterson has not endorsed a candidate, and there is no clear front-runner. But the winner of the Republican primary would likely have an advantage in November in the heavily Republican district.

The GOP candidates are Lou Radkowski, the Elk County coroner; Jeffrey J. Stroehmann, a business owner who is the great-grandson of the founder of Stroehmann Bakery; Derek Walker, owner of a financial planning business; Chris Exarchos, a former Centre County commissioner; Matt Shaner, a hotel developer; Glenn Thompson, the Centre County GOP chairman; Keith Richardson, an attorney and pastor; John Rea Stroup, mayor of Clarion; and John Krupa, an insurance agent.

The Democratic candidates are Bill Cahir, a journalist who fought in Iraq with the Marines; Mark McCracken, a Clearfield County commissioner; and Richard Vilello, mayor of Lock Haven.

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Ballot placement

On March 14th, 2008 Anonymous said:

I suspect that ballot placement (determined by lot) will be especially important especially for Democrats who will be pouring in to vote for the presidential nominee. Dem order is McCracken, Cahir and Vilello. Republican: Krupa, Stroup, Radkowski, Shaner, Stroehmann, Richardson, Exarchos, Walker and Thompson. Some of the Republicans don’t even have web sites.

We're glad that the Dems are generating some buzz

On March 15th, 2008 vmo1701 said:

Mark McCracken just attended the groundbreaking for the new ethanol plant in Clearfield. This project is investing $275 MILLION dollars into the north central region.

You can find out more at our blog – PA’s Blue Fifth

Turn PA-05 BLUE!
Website: http://www.mccrackenforcongress.com
Blog: http://pabluefifth.blogspot.com/
ActBlue: http://www.actblue.com/page/mccrackenforcongress

Wealthy Candidates

On March 31st, 2008 Anonymous said:

All I have to say is that the last thing we need in Washington is another Congressman that is a muti-millionaire who has no idea how the lower and middle classes live. Stroehmann, Richardson,and Shaner were all born into money and are just more millionaires that would want to make the Bush tax cuts for the wealth permanent. The Republican party has been hijacked by the wealthy and has to return to it’s roots.

Richardson a Millionaire?

On April 9th, 2008 Anonymous said:

It’s funny that anyone would suggest that Keith Richardson is a millionaire, let alone even wealthy. He grew up in a working class military family and lives off of a pastor’s salary now. Furthermore, that middle class salary is shared between Richardson, his wife, and 8 children. If he were a millionaire, I’m sure he would be spending his own money on the campaign like Shaner, Walker, and Stroehmann. Money is the last resource Richardson has to work with.

Hijacked by the

On March 31st, 2008 Anonymous said:

Hijacked by the wealthy…return to its’ roots!!!
You gotta’ be kidding. You would have to go back to Moses to find a Republican Party that isn’t wealth oriented.

As I understand it...

On April 4th, 2008 Anonymous said:

At the League of Women Voters event this past week, Mr Shaner came off as a spoiled, obnixious, and not particularly original brat who had been invited the adults table cause the kiddie table was full.

To quote those there: “He was smug” “He comes off self-important and incredibly immature.”

Duh!

He’s a spoiled rich kid who wants to go to Congress to protect the family money. A vote for Shaner is equivalent to a vote for 4 more years of Bush policy.

He wants to make the Bush Tax-cuts permanent, overturn the death tax, invest in small business…and on…and on…and on…

Nothing original there. His slogan should just read “4 More Years!”

Cahir

On April 12th, 2008 Anonymous said:

Wonder if Cahir-D has ever voted in Centre County. He lived in the D.C. area, came back to Centre County just to run for the 5th district. Time to take this district with a Good Democrat, a hard working person with a PROVEN track record of planning, implimenting and suceeding in making an area grow. This is what will help the residents in the 5th district. Not wealthy people that have no idea how the working class lives. I would not vote for a person that a Union did not back, that is the class of people that struggle the most.

Will he stay?

On April 18th, 2008 Anonymous said:

I wonder, if Cahir will stay if he does not win the nomination. I am sure the Comissioner of Clearfield will remain Comissioner, and Vilello the Mayor will remain the Mayor, but what will Cahir do, move back to D.C.? Come on folks, two candidates have lived in their districts for many years, Cahir moved there to try to gain an elected office. We need our people, ones who have lived the problems of the 5th district, not a Washington insider that is not in touch with our issues.

Peterson's Endorsement- What a Joke

On April 14th, 2008 Anonymous said:

I see that Peterson finally endorsed a candidate, and that candidate is Glen Thompson. Isn’t it funny that Thompson is healthcare lobbyist. This endorsement is as much of a joke as Peterson was and is as a congressman. It is just ridiculous that he is endorsing a lobbyist who has been courting Peterson for years. I wonder what Thompson has in mind for Peterson if he wins. Sounds like more politics as usual. Shame on them both!

Did you notice...

On April 15th, 2008 Anonymous said:

That Peterson’s endorment was next to the article in Tri-County Sunday about Walker, Shanner and Stroehmann’s person troubles? Hummm…

As for Shaner and Walker… previous friends and ‘birds of a feather’ you know. Walker who likes to peek… call the Clearfield Police and Walker’s ex-girlfriend, or you can call Shaner who Walker confided in.

Rick Vilello Introduces President Clinton

On April 17th, 2008 Anonymous said:

Tonight President Bill Clinton spoke at Lock Haven University. Lock Haven Mayor and 5th Congressional Candidate had the honor of introducing President Clinton. This shows the character of Rick Vilello and what the community feels of his abilities. By far Vilello IS the best candidate to represent all of us in the 5th district. Lets all support him in the election. We need this type of representation in Washington. Someone who can relate to the not only the labor movement, but the woeking person in general. Go Rick

Clearfield County

On April 18th, 2008 Anonymous said:

Could some one clarify how many local jobs will be provided at the New ethanol plant. WIll Union Labor be hired to build the facility? I under all the technical jobs will be for people brought into Clearfield Co, AND non-union labor will build the majority of the plant. Hmmmmm the Comissioner candidate claims so many jobs. Are they local jobs, or just 4 laboroers. If that is correct why would the constructon trades unions support a candidate that will not see they are to get these trade jobs. One does need to wonder