PALCV's Stock Rises with Election Night Victories

Harrisburg, PA – The Pennsylvania League of Conservation Voters hailed the election of men and women who across the Commonwealth who support strong conservation and environmental protection policies.

 While votes are still being counted in two of PALCV's forty Election 2006 races (two races that could determine control of the legislature), many victories are already clear. PALCV-endorsed candidates stacked up wins in many regions of Pennsylvania where the environment figured prominently into several key races. "This shows we're getting our message out about who to support and voters are responding," said Michael Fedor, executive director of PALCV.

The regional breakdown looks like this:

In Central Pennsylvania, Rep. Dan Surra (D-Elk) and Rep. Camille "Bud" George (D-Clearfield) won convincingly with each getting over 60% of the vote.

In Western Pennsylvania, Jaret Gibbons (D-Lawrence) and Mark Longietti (D-Mercer) are on their way to Harrisburg to begin their first terms as state representatives.

In Pennsylvania's south, Rep. Glen Grell (R-Cumberland) won re-election with over 66% of the vote and Eugene DePasquale (D-York), who was named in September to replace retiring state representative Stephen Stetler on the ballot, won over 55% of the vote.

In Eastern Pennsylvania, Rep. David Argall (R-Schuylkill) and Rep. Robert Freeman (D-Northampton) won re-election easily, as did Rep. Phyllis Mundy (D-Luzerne) in the Northeast.

In Southwestern Pennsylvania, 5 out of 6 PALCV endorsed candidates won including
Rep. David Levdansky (D), Rep. Joe Markosek (D), Rep. Tom Petrone (D), and Rep. Don Walko (D) all of Allegheny County and Rep. Tom Tangretti (D – Westmoreland).

In Southeastern Pennsylvania, 17 of PALCV's 22 endorsed candidates won, including its only two senate endorsements of Senator John Rafferty (R-Montgomery) and
Rep. Chuck McIlhinney (R-Bucks) who won the 10th senate district vacated by retiring Senator Joe Conti. Two of the twenty-two are still too close to call, including
Barbara McIlvaine-Smith (D-Chester) and Anne Crowley (D-Chester).  PALCV also endorsed the following winners: Chris King (D-Bucks), Marguerite Quinn (R-Bucks), Bob Mensch (R-Montgomery), Rick Taylor, (D-Montgomery), and incumbents Rep. Lawrence Curry (D), Rep. Mike Gerber (D), Rep. Daylin Leach (D), Rep. Kate Harper (R), Rep. Josh Shapiro (D) of Montgomery County, Rep. Scott Petri (R) and Rep. David Steil (R) of Bucks County, Rep. Babette Josephs (D) and Rep. James Roebuck (D) of Philadelphia, Rep. Carole Rubley (R – Chester) and Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware).

Whether these victories add up to a bipartisan environmental majority in the legislature remains to be seen. "The proof will be found as we begin to work with the new legislature in January," said Fedor.

PALCV endorsed Governor Rendell as well as 31 of the General Assembly candidates who won on Tuesday. Two other races where PALCV endorsed are still too close to call. Hard working campaigns came up short in just 6 races in the state house, including a narrow loss by Tom Houghton to unseat incumbent Rep. Art Hershey (R-Chester) and the surprise loss of Rep. Mike Veon (D-Beaver). 

PALCV had this to say about Rep. Mike Veon's loss on Tuesday. "Rep. Veon was an environmental champion in the state legislature and we're going to miss his leadership on fighting to improve Pennsylvania's environment. We owe him an enormous thank you for his long service," said Michael Fedor, PALCV Executive Director. 

 PALCV candidates who came up short when the votes were tallied include Frank Weaver in Mercer County, Marie deYoung in Delaware County, Mike Paston in Montgomery County, and Rep. Shawn Flaherty (D-Allegheny).

 "These losses are tough, but we learn what we can from them. I can say we have won 85% of our elections since 2004, and we're already thinking about 2008," said Fedor.

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The Pennsylvania League of Conservation Voters is a 501(c)(4) social welfare non-profit. Its mission is to educate Pennsylvania voters about the environmental records and positions of elected officials and to help elect pro-environment candidates to office. Visit the web site at www.votecleanpa.org  to learn more.