Pennsylvania House Wins Mark the 56th and 57th Victories Since Obama Elected

ALEXANDRIA, VA – With support for Democrat policies slipping and voters at all levels throwing their support behind the GOP, Republicans marked the 56th and 57th state legislative special election victories last night, since President Barack Obama was elected.  In Pennsylvania’s 138th House District, Republican Marcia Hahn defeated Democrat Cory D. Miller and in the 147th House District, Republican Marcy Toepel was victorious over Democrat Bob Dodge.

“Both Marcia and Marcy ran phenomenal campaigns to keep these swing-state legislative seats in Republican hands,” said Scott Ward, President of the Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) the country’s largest caucus of Republican state leaders.  “Republicans at all levels across the country are running campaigns based on fighting higher taxes, government growth and out-of-control spending. These victories are further evidence of voters’ dissatisfaction with Democrat policies.”

During the campaign, Hahn campaigned on her plan to provide strong opposition to any new tax increases, fight to cut government spending and waste while leading the fight to for reform in Harrisburg by changing the approach to the state budget so that we stop wasting money and running up debt to pay for it.

Toepel ran a campaign based on taxes, spending and accountability and transparency in government, stating “the General Assembly must conduct its business in the full light of day and expose its decision-making processes to the public.”

“With several more special elections upcoming before November’s General Election, there will be even more opportunities for Republican candidates to take advantage of the continued momentum,” Ward said.  “Republican fortunes are bright.”

The RSLC is the largest caucus of Republican state leaders and the only national organization whose mission is to elect down ballot, state-level Republican office-holders.  Since 2002, the RSLC has been working to elect candidates for the office of attorney general, lieutenant governor, secretary of state and state legislator.  The RSLC consistently raises and spends an average of more than $20 million, per two-year cycle, from more than 80,000 donors and from all 50 states.  In February, The RSLC announced the creation of the REDistricting MAjority Project (REDMAP), a program, headed by former U.S. Representative and NRCC Chairman Tom Reynolds, dedicated to winning state legislative seats that will have a critical impact on redistricting in 2011.