Incumbents sweep local elections

During the day, volunteers in Democratic Rep. Jason Altmire’s office laughed, joked and found… During the day, volunteers in Democratic Rep. Jason Altmire’s office laughed, joked and found time for candid photography. Their confidence and merriment foreshadowed the outcome of yesterday’s congressional election. Altmire beat Melissa Hart, the Republican candidate, in a contest for Pennsylvania’s Fourth District, which includes Pittsburgh. The election was a rematch from 2006, when Altmire dethroned Hart. ‘We have a strong lead in the polls,’ said Mike Mikus, Altmire’s campaign manager, around 2 p.m. yesterday. Sensing this lead, volunteers in the Citizens for Altmire office worked in a relaxed manner. In another office, volunteers for People With Hart continued to work diligently, calling to get out the vote. Hart’s campaign manager, Alicia Collins, called the race close and still undetermined.’ ‘We’ll see what happens tonight,’ said Collins around 4 p.m. yesterday. ‘The polls and pundits may be wrong. We have momentum on our side.’ However, around midnight with 81 percent of the vote counted, Altmire led Hart by 14 points.’ The Hart campaign blamed its loss on the nation’s political climate. ‘The environment is not favorable to us at this time,’ said Collins. ‘There’s a Republican backlash right now in the nation.’ Nevertheless, ‘I wouldn’t have changed anything,’ said Collins.’ On the other side, Mikus spoke enthusiastically about Altmire’s win. ‘This is a great win for Jason,’ said Mikus. ‘It’s clear voters recognize his hard work. I’m ecstatic. Of all the campaigns I’ve worked on, this has been great.’ The groups conducted their respective campaigns in similar ways. Volunteers, working from lists of voters, made calls and canvassed neighborhoods to encourage people to go to the polls. ‘We’ve been knocking on doors and making calls since spring,’ said Collins of the Hart campaign.’ Likewise, volunteers from Altmire’s campaign, such as North Allegheny High School senior Liz Lorenzi, spent much of their time talking to voters.’ ‘ ‘We’ve been sending out volunteers to areas to put out door hangers, and we’ve been targeting first time voters with calls,’ said Lorenzi. Each campaign uses online databases to target specific voters. Citizens for Altmire uses a program called Vote Builder, while People With Hart uses Voter Vault. Because the Fourth Congressional District has more Democrats than Republicans, People With Hart targeted voters from all parties. ‘As a Republican in this district, we can’t win without Democrats and Independents,’ said Collins.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ In the end, though, People With Hart could not rally enough support. One volunteer, Valerie Gaydos, a small business owner, however, maintained hope. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘No matter who gets elected, if we don’t like them, we can replace them,’ said Gaydos.’ ‘ ‘ ‘ Mikus felt confident that Altmire would not disappoint. ‘ ‘ ‘ ‘Jason,’ he said, ‘will continue fighting for veterans, for working families and to help keep the country moving.’