U.S. Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper of Erie is being thanked by local teachers and Erie County Sheriff Bob Merski at a 3 p.m. press conference this afternoon in Perry Square, hosted by hosted by Organizing for America-Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Democratic Party.

Here’s the press release:

Philadelphia—Local educators and Erie County Sheriff Bob Merski will hold a press conference today, Thursday, September 2, to thank Congresswoman Dahlkemper for saving hundreds of public safety and education jobs in Erie County. Congresswoman Dahlkemper will be on hand at the event to discuss her recent vote.

The Federal Medical Assistance Percentages (FMAP) extension approved last month will save the jobs of 12,500 Pennsylvanians including hundreds in Erie County, assist local communities still reeling from the economic crisis, and reduce the deficit by $1.4 billion. The legislation is fully paid for in part by ending tax giveaways for corporations that ship American jobs overseas.

While President Obama and Democrats in Congress fought to save jobs for Pennsylvanians, Republicans like Mike Kelly, have instead stood up for corporations who ship jobs overseas over teachers, firefighters and police officers.

The press conference is hosted by Organizing for America-Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Democratic Party.

–Kevin Flowers

For more information, check out this link.

–Kevin Flowers

Check it out here.

–Kevin Flowers

U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak has bought his first television ad of the general election, after weeks of aggressive ads from his opponent, Republican Pat Toomey.

The two candidates are going head-to-head in the U.S. Senate race.

Sestak, the Democrat, goes after Toomey in the ad that is running in several markets, including Erie.

The ad strikes a familiar theme in Sestak’s campaign – portraying Toomey as a darling of Wall Street amid the struggles of the middle class.

– John Guerriero

A candidates’ forum featuring Democratic U.S. Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper and Republican nominee Mike Kelly scheduled for Thursday at the Blasco Library has been canceled.
The event was canceled due to a scheduling conflict, and will not be rescheduled, according to the AARP, the forum’s sponsor.
An AARP forum featuring Dahlkemper and Kelly set for Oct. 16 in Butler will go on as scheduled.
Dahlkemper, of Erie, and Kelly, of Butler, are vying for the 3rd Congressional District seat in the Nov. 2 election. Dahlkemper is seeking her second two-year term.

–Kevin Flowers

This was sent to us by the National Republican Congressional Committee this morning:

Mike Kelly Advances to Top Level of Young Guns Program

Pennsylvania Republican Reaches ‘Young Gun’ Status with Clear Path to Victory

Washington- The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) announced today that Republican Mike Kelly (PA-03) has reached ‘Young Gun’ status, the premiere level of its three-tiered Young Guns program. By advancing to the program’s top tier, Kelly has proven his ability to build a winning campaign and achieve substantial fundraising goals.

“Mike Kelly is ready to take on incumbent Democrat lapdog Kathy Dahlkemper in November,” said NRCC Chairman Pete Sessions (R-TX). “Mike’s campaign is a symbol of the growing momentum behind Republican candidacies in Pennsylvania and across the country. As Democrats and their party bosses continue to push their big-government, big-spending policies onto the backs of hard-working families, Republicans like Mike Kelly will continue to present a clear alternative to a Democrat majority that continues to spend too much, borrow too much and tax too much.”

After playing football for Butler High School, Mike Kelly received an athletic scholarship from the University of Notre Dame. Upon graduation, Kelly moved back to Pennsylvania and began working for his family’s Chevrolet-Cadillac dealership. His hard work earned him numerous accolades on the national and local level. Kelly also served on the Chevrolet Dealers Advertising Association of Pittsburgh board and the Cadillac Consultants of Western Pennsylvania board. His experience and successes in the automotive industry prompted him to purchase his families’ dealership and later the Hyundai and KIA franchises, where he currently employs 109 hardworking Pennsylvania men and women. Kelly serves on several boards and is an active member of the Butler community. In recognition of his service, the Mayor of Butler named October 26, 2001 as “Mike Kelly Day” in honor of Kelly’s dedication to his hometown.

Originally founded in the 2007-2008 election cycle by Reps. Eric Cantor (R-VA), Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), and Paul Ryan (R-WI) as a member-driven organization, the Young Guns program has become an official NRCC effort dedicated to electing open-seat and challenger candidates nationwide. Reps. Cantor, McCarthy and Ryan remain actively involved in Young Guns, working together to recruit and prime conservative leaders for victory.

Now that Mike Kelly has completed the Young Guns’ benchmarks to place him on the road to victory, he is ready to hold incumbent Democrat Kathy Dahlkemper accountable in November.

Thoughts?

–Kevin Flowers

Read it here.

–Kevin Flowers

Real Clear Politics has also weighed in on the congressional race between U.S. Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper and Republican Mike Kelly, saying that contest for the 3rd Congressional District seat leans toward Dahlkemper, the Democratic incumbent.

Check it out here.

–Kevin Flowers

A CQ-Roll Call survey of U.S. House races nationwide suggests that it could be — another indicator that the contest between incumbent Democratic U.S. Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper of Erie and Republican Mike Kelly of Butler is heating up and drawing increased national attention.

What do you think? Let us know.

–Kevin Flowers

DAHLKEMPER_60_BIO-081610-2(2)

This was released by Democratic U.S. Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper’s campaign this morning. Click on the above link to view Dahlkemper’s new campaign ad.

Congresswoman Dahlkemper hits the air running with opening television campaign

In this 60-second television spot, Congresswoman Dahlkemper narrates the story behind her first term in office, focusing on her independence and willingness to make tough and difficult votes for 3rd District residents while aggressively working on improving the economy and creating and preserving jobs.

Thoughts?

–Kevin Flowers