MEADVILLE —
Although a liberal Independent has made the ballot for the Third District U.S. representative race in November, top Democrats are confident their chances of taking the seat from Republican Mike Kelly aren’t diminished.
Steven Porter of Wattsburg, who ran two unsuccessful campaigns for the Third District seat as a Democrat, will be on the ballot in November, joined by incumbent Republican Kelly and Democratic nominee Missa Eaton of Sharon.
A second Independent candidate, Stacey Gray of Carlton, Mercer County, suspended her campaign and did not make the ballot. She declined to explain the reasons for the suspension.
The filing deadline to make the November ballot recently passed.
Porter captured headlines in 2004 and 2006 for his often heated campaigns against then-incumbent Republican Rep. Phil English.
Porter and English had highly publicized public debates at Allegheny College during those two campaigns, events that required strict monitoring because of the raucous environments that surrounded them.
In 2008, Porter ran again for the Congressional seat, but as an Independent. He was removed from the ballot following a successful challenge to his petitions.
Despite his reputation as a fierce competitor, Diane Adsit, chair of the Crawford County Democratic Committee, said she doesn’t expect Porter’s candidacy to attract many votes.
“A lot of people registered Independent just don’t like a party label,” said Adsit. “It doesn’t mean he (Porter) will get their vote. Most will align with Missa Eaton or Mike Kelly. Mr. Porter’s name is not unfamiliar with most voters.”
Eaton, a political newcomer, pointed out Porter had run as a Democrat twice before.
“I do think I represent Mr. Porter’s views as well, though he’s more liberal than I am,” Eaton said Monday. “I think I’ll be the best representative for the Third District.”
For its part, the Kelly campaign isn’t taking anything for granted.
Josh Wilson, spokesman for Kelly’s re-election campaign, said the campaign isn’t paying attention to how a third party may affect race, but the entire race.
“He (Porter) is an opponent just like Missa Eaton is on the Democratic ballot,” Wilson said. “He has to be taken seriously as a qualified candidate on the ballot.”
The last time the Third District had three candidates on the ballot was in November 2006 when English defeated Porter, who ran as a Democrat, and Timothy Hagberg of the Constitution Party.
The Third Congressional District includes almost all of Crawford County except an area around the City of Titusville in the county’s southeast corner.
Voters in the Fifth Congressional District, which includes the Titusville and part of southeastern Crawford County, will choose between incumbent Republican Glenn Thompson of Howard, who is seeking a third term in Congress, and challenger Democrat Charles Dumas of State College.
Did You Know?
There are 53,685 registered voters in Crawford County, according to the Office of Voter Services.
Republicans have an almost 4,600-voter edge over Democrats. There are 26,289 registered Republicans and 21,711 Democrats. There are 939 persons registered as Independent and 4,746 registered as “other,” which includes Green, Libertarian, Constitution and other political parties.
Register to vote
The last day a person may register to vote to be eligible to vote in the Nov. 6 election is Oct. 9, according to Melanie Mushrush, director of the Crawford County Office of Voter Services.
Local News
Third District ballot set for November
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