Spotlight on the PA 3rd Congressional District

Republican Winner, Mike Kelly
Pennsylvania's 3rd Congressional District, heavily blue collar, is located in the northwestern part of the state and includes the cities of Erie, Sharon, Butler and Meadville. Seven counties are encompassed: Armstrong, Butler, Crawford, Erie, Mercer, Venango and Warren. George W. Bush earned comfortable margins of victory here in 2000 and 2004, but Barack Obama prevailed here by a very narrow margin in 2008. Prior to redistricting in 2002, the district was actually located in northeast Philadelphia. Political newcomer Democrat Kathy Dahlkemper, a landscaping company owner, defeated six-term Republican incumbent Phil English in 2008 by a 2.4% margin. Republicans had high hopes of recapturing the PA 3rd in November. Republican Mike Kelly won the May 18 primary in a crowded field of candidates. Well known in the district for his business and community leadership, Kelly held the credentials to present a strong challenge to neophyte Dahlkemper and election day saw Kelly with a convincing 56% to 44% victory.
Mike Kelly
  • Pittsburgh/Butler native
  • State recognized football player, Butler High School
  • Scholar/Athlete, Notre Dame Univ., graduated 1970
  • Joined father’s business, Kelly Chevrolet-Cadillac, Inc., est. in 1953
  • Received the Cadillac Crest Club of Outstanding Sales Performance Award and the Chevrolet Motor Division Customer Satisfaction Leader Award
  • Served on the Chevrolet Dealers Advertising Association of Pittsburgh board and the Cadillac Consultants of Western Pennsylvania board
  • Became the dealer owner of Kelly Chevrolet-Cadillac, Inc. in 1995; with business expansion, currently employs 109 hardworking men and women from the region
  • Serves as Chairman of the Hyundai Eastern Region Dealer Council, Vice Chairman of the Hyundai National Dealer Council, and Secretary and Treasurer of the Hyundai initiative “Hope on Wheels,” which is an organization that has donated over $14 million to childhood cancer research institutions nationwide
  • Currently serves as a board member on the following committees: Housing Authority of Butler County; The Gathering of Butler County, Pullman Park; Butler Quarterback Club; Butler Midget Football; Butler Area Baseball Association; Redevelopment Authority of Butler County; and the Moraine Trails Council of Boys Scouts of America
  • Chairman of the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Butler, a Councilman for the Butler City Council and Vice President of the board for the Maridon Museum.
  • Established and served as President of the Butler Quarterback Club and The Golden Tornado Scholastic Foundation, an organization that provides unique, creative and innovative opportunities beyond the regular educational programs for students in the Butler Area School District 
  • Inducted into the Butler Area Sports Hall of Fame for his superb involvement in coaching and supporting Butler youth sports, 1999
  • Strong supporter of Butler’s war on drugs; donated vehicles to the Butler City Police Department and the Butler County Drug Task Force
  • Establishmed the Mary McTighe Kelly Creative Teaching Grant for elementary educators and the Lighthouse Foundation’s One Warm Coat Program
  • Received the Catholic Charities Mary DeMucci Award and the 1994 Butler Area High School Distinguished Graduate Award
  • Mayor of Butler named October 26, 2001 as “Mike Kelly Day” in honor of Kelly’s dedication to his hometown

ISSUES

  • Lower taxes for working families and job creators, lessen crushing regulations, create an environment for green jobs, and work to make sure our workforce has the skills necessary to compete globally; pass a balanced budget amendment to the United States Constitution and cut wasteful spending; oppose, at every turn, the efforts to nationalize our health care system and take control out of the hands of working families; oppose bailouts that have not improved our economy and have put us on a path toward a deeper economic decline by rewarding irresponsibility; full support for troops abroad while they work to protect our homeland and spread the virtues of democracy; immigration reform must begin with securing our borders and rejecting amnesty; on energy, make sure there is the right mix of solar, wind, hydro, clean coal, natural gas, nuclear, and even oil to make sure that our country can grow and prosper; protect the sanctity of human life; preserve the right to bear arms; the oath to uphold and protect the Constitution is imperative to our democracy
Congress has let down the American people in regards to spending. The greatest example was the Stimulus bill that spent over $787 billion of money borrowed from China. If we had spent one million dollars a day since Jesus Christ was born, we still wouldn’t equal the ridiculous spending found in that one bill. And after one year, not only has the bill not worked, our economy has actually gotten worse and the tab is left with our children and grandchildren.
A Leader and Our Best Choice for Congress
The Spotlight On reports are overviews of actual Republican primary winners or top Republican primary contenders. Spotlights should not be interpreted as recommendations to support specific candidates. Before supporting any candidate, do thorough research to confirm that the candidate shares your views on issues you deem most important.