PA-08

It used to be a candidate had 30 seconds on television to introduce himself to voters in his initial biography commercials. Now they have unlimited time to do so on their websites. Two candidates for Congress have done just that.

Going against guidelines adopted by the Democratic National Committee and the party's presumptive nominee for president, U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Bucks) says he will accept money from political action committees for his reelection campaign.

His decision, reported by The Bucks County Courier Times, comes after the DNC yesterday enacted a new policy barring donations from federal lobbyists and PACs. The new policy puts the party in line with Sen. Barack Obama's (D-Ill.) presidential campaign, though it does not specifically bar other candidates from accepting PAC money. Still, Murphy's decision could raise the ire of Republicans and even some fellow Democrats.

Murphy, who is running against Republican Tom Manion in the 8th Congresional District, has collected more than $1.2 million from PACs since 2005, The Courier Times reported.

Stuart Rothenberg of the Rothenberg Political Reports has the latest House ratings.  Of the races that are up for grabs, Pennsylvania has six that are Rothenberg’s watch list.  read more »

Stuart Rothenberg of the Rothenberg Political Report has the latest House ratings. Of the races that are up for grabs, Pennsylvania has six that are Rothenberg’s watch list.  read more »

Congressional Quarterly has ranked the top 10 congressional candidates that have added the most to their coffers during the first quarter of 2008.  There were 3 candidates from PA who landed in the top 10.  The top PA candidate was Joe Sestek from PA-07 who ranked 2nd in the country.  Sestak increased his cash reserves by $549k.  Fourth on the list was Patrick Murphy from PA-08.  Murphy increased his cash on hand by $487k  while his general election opponent