Races rematch congressional candidates

In 11 congressional races, the second time around could be the charm.

NEW BRIGHTON, Pa. (AP) — When it comes to choosing who represents them in Congress, many voters are experiencing a do-over.

Eleven congressional races — in Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Washington, New York, Florida, Nevada and North Carolina — are rematches.

Melissa Hart, who once represented a Western Pennsylvania district in steel country, is one of three former Republican House members seeking to win back a seat lost in 2006, when Democrats gained control of the House. On the Democratic side, six challengers who lost to the now-Republican incumbent two years ago are giving it another try.

The Republican challengers in rematches hope 2006 was an anomaly and that voters now have buyer’s remorse. The Democratic challengers, in turn, view it as a more favorable year for them because of discontent with the Bush administration and unhappiness with the economy.

Rematches are common; sometimes the second time is a charm.

Take Indiana’s 9th District, in the south of the state. Democratic Rep. Baron Hill beat GOP challenger Mike Sodrel in 2002, lost to him in 2004, and then beat him in 2006. It’s another rematch this year.

“There’s a long history of candidates coming back to win after an initial defeat,” said Jack Pitney, a professor of government at Claremont McKenna College.

The former GOP House members have the advantage of entering the race with an established fundraising network and base of support, as do those in office. But it could be a tougher fight for the Republican candidates this election.

National polls indicate that voters view the Democratic Party more favorably than the Republican, and Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama appears to be leading over GOP rival John McCain. Democrats are expected to maintain control of the House and Senate in the Nov. 4 election.

Hart, who was the first Republican woman elected to Congress from Pennsylvania, blames her loss to Democrat Jason Altmire on voters’ unhappiness with the Iraq war, scandals on Capitol Hill and an unpopular incumbent GOP senator at the top of the ticket. In her three earlier races, she noted she had won the district with about 60 percent of the vote or more.

With more stability in Iraq, Hart said the climate has changed dramatically. “This year, I believe there’s just more of an opportunity to talk about the issues,” Hart said.

Her opponent, a former health care executive who as an underdog in his 2006 race pulled off a surprise upset, said he is more recognized this time.

“As a challenger, I talked a lot about what I felt the problems were in Washington and some ideas I had on how to fix them, and things we should be doing that we weren’t doing,” Altmire said. “And now I can go two years later to the same people and say, ‘Well, here’s what I told you I was going to do, and this is what I did.”’

Republican Rep. Randy Kuhl, who is challenged a second time in his rural New York district by retired Navy commander Eric Massa, said he thinks it is an advantage that his party does not run the House.

“So what people are looking at is a do-nothing Congress that I have no responsibility for, and I can share the public’s frustration,” Kuhl said.

Massa said this year’s campaign is more intense than the last one.

“One of the major differences we have this time, nationally, is an even bigger desire for a new direction. If it was a 7 on the Richter scale last time, it’s a 10 this time. That’s what’s bringing those who traditionally call themselves Republicans over to vote for Barack Obama and Democrats,” Massa said.

The other former Republican lawmaker attempting to win back a seat is Jeb Bradley, who is challenging Democratic Rep. Carol Shea-Porter in New Hampshire.

Also, in Pennsylvania, Hazleton Mayor Lou Barletta is challenging Democratic Rep. Paul Kanjorski a second time. Kanjorski beat Barletta in 2002. In Wisconsin, Democratic Rep. Steve Kagen faces Republican John Gard in a rematch. Two years ago, Kagen beat Gard for what was then an open seat.

In Florida and Nevada, Democrats are challenging GOP lawmakers they lost to in 2006 when there was an open seat. In Florida, Democrat Christine Jennings is challenging GOP Rep. Vern Buchanan, and in Nevada, Democrat Jill Derby faces GOP Rep. Dean Heller.

Other Democrats taking on a GOP House member again include Dan Seals against Rep. Mark Kirk in Illinois, Larry Kissell against Rep. Robin Hayes in North Carolina and Darcy Burner against Rep. Dave Reichert in Washington state.

One voter who would like to bring back a former member is Pat Boyde, a Republican from New Sewickley who owns a shop in New Brighton. She said plans to vote for Hart because she liked her visibility in the community.

“She was just likable,” Boyde said. “She attended things that other people didn’t that were important to me because I was there.”

But Carolyn Waltenbaugh, a Democrat from Sarver, said she favors Altmire because he has been visible on television and has sent out mailings explaining issues on Capitol Hill.

“He keeps us very informed,” Waltenbaugh said as she left a restaurant with her friends.