Chris Carney

Kathy Dahlkemper found out this week her race was being changed from likely Republican to lean Republican. Find out who joins Dahlkemper as a winner this week.

Congressional candidate Chris HackettA prominent business group today endorsed Republican Chris Hackett in his attempt to unseat freshman lawmaker U.S. Rep. Chris Carney (D-Dimock) in the state's 10th Congressional District, Roll Call reports (subscription only).

The endorsement was one of three made by The Business-Industry Political Action Committee today. The PAC also made endorsements in Congressional races Georgia and Kentucky.

BIPAC CEO Greg Casey said that Hackett's ownership of a temp staffing company in northeastern Pennsylvania will help him "bring a keen awareness of business concerns to Congress,” Roll Call reports.

Democratic Congressman Chris Carney will get to add another Republican supporter to his Republicans for Carney list.  David Urban, former chief of staff for Senator Arlen Specter will host a DC fundraiser for Carney on July 16th. 

U.S. Rep. Chris CarneyA former chief of staff of Republican U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter is raising money for Democratic U.S. Rep. Chris Carney as he faces a still re-election test, Roll Call reports (subscription required).

David Urban was Specter's chief of staff for five years, but now he is hosting a $1,000-a-head breakfast for Carney July 16 in Washington.

"While I'm a Republican, I like to think I support solid candidates," Urban told Roll Call. "[Carney] is a conservative Democrats ... who deserves to be given another shot."

Freedom's Watch has again targeted two northeast Pennsylvania congressmen as part of its ongoing campaign to criticize Democratic incumbents for opposing expanded domestic oil drilling.

The Washington-based conservative advocacy group this time is running radio ads in the districts of U.S. reps. Chris Carney (D-Dimock) and Paul Kanjorski (D-Nanticoke). They criticize the representatives for refusing to help families struggling with high gas prices by "voting against American energy independence."

The ads provide the congressman's phone number and asks voters to tell them to support H.R. 3089, the "No More Excuses Energy Act of 2007."

Freedom's Watch previously launched a series of robocalls against three Pennsylvania Democratic incumbents criticizing them on the same issue.

Kanjorksi's campaign has previously called the attacks untrue.

The second quarter is over and now we wait for the FEC numbers to be released.  But what should we expect?

In the 3rd district Phil English is facing off against challenger Kathy Dahlkemper.  In April English was showing $690k cash on had after raising $282k in the first quarter.   Dalhkemper raised $58k during the same period and had $71k on hand.  This is the make or break quarter for Dahlkemper.  She has been named as a candidate to watch on the DCCC Red-to-Blue program, but another $58k quarter will not get the job done.  For Dahlkemper to be taken seriously by the DCCC she will need to post a number that puts her with at least $250k cash on hand.

The two candidates in the 10th Congressional District are trying to prove their opponent isn't interested in lowering gas prices, The Times Leader reports.

U.S. Rep. Chris Carney (D-Dimock) criticized challenger Chris Hackett for investments he's made in ExxonMobil, Conoco Phillips and Chevron worth between $31,000 and $115,000, telling The Times Leader Hackett is more interested in financial gain than helping everyday citizens. Carney's campaign is urging Hackett to sell the stock.

The Republican Hackett shot back that Carney invested in mutual funds that held stock in oil companies, and said he's trying to distract the public from his opposition to domestic oil drilling.

Freedom’s Watch, the conservative advocacy group, is launching about three dozen robocalls over the next week targeting U.S. House members across the country, including several vulnerable incumbents in Pennsylvania, PolitickerPA.com has learned.

The target list for the robocalls includes Democratic U.S. Reps. Jason Altmire, Chris Carney and Paul Kanjorski from Pennsylvania among a host of other members of Congress.

The calls start off by reminding recipients of current gas prices and emphasizing how the prices affect the cost of food. The calls also stress the potential for domestic drilling and mention that the member in question has voted against oil exploration on the continental shelf.

After Freedom’s Watch launched in 2007 it initially focused its efforts on conveying a national security-focused message. But the new robocalls underscore how the organization is switching to a more economic-focused message that is aimed at blue collar areas like the ones occupied by Altmire, Carney and Kanjorski.

U.S. Rep. Chris CarneyU.S. Rep. Chris Carney (D-Dimock) tried to brandish his bi-partisan credentials at a rally Monday when he gathered about two dozen Republican supporters to launch "Republicans for Carney," The Times-Leader reports.

The gathered registered Republicans said Carney stands up for veterans and often votes against the party on its most liberal issues.

“My campaign is about doing the right thing, putting the needs of our district ahead of the party," Carney told The Times-Leader. "Republicans for Carney is a key component of our campaign, and I look forward to their insight and involvement in the upcoming campaign season."

The campaign for Carney's challenger, Republican Chris Hackett, dismissed the event as a political stunt designed to distract from his liberal voting record.