Democratic smiles in Pennsylvania’s special election

By V.v.B. | PITTSBURGH

“MARINE, prosecutor, patriot, Catholic. Democratic nominee for Congress in the #PA18 special election on March 13th, 2018.” Conor Lamb’s description of himself on Twitter sums up neatly why the 33-year-old newcomer to local politics is the perfect candidate for a congressional district in south-western Pennsylvania that is overwhelmingly white, socially conservative and working-and middle class. His background, youth and soft-spoken demeanour seem to be straight out of central casting for a successful congressman in an area that used to vote for the Democrats but fell out of love with a party seemingly out of touch with voters’ concerns when in 2002 it voted for Tim Murphy, a socially conservative but otherwise moderate Republican, who was re-elected seven times.

With nearly 100% of votes counted at close to midnight locally Mr Lamb was clinging to a 579-vote lead over Rick Saccone, his Republican opponent. But a few thousand absentee ballots were still outstanding, which means that no winner will be declared until March 14th, at the earliest. And the trailing candidate can request a recount, according to state law.