United States Senate election in Pennsylvania, 2000

United States Senate election in Pennsylvania, 2000

November 7, 2000
Nominee Rick Santorum Ron Klink Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 2,481,962 2,154,908 Percentage 52.4% 45.5%
County results
U.S. Senator before election Rick Santorum Republican Elected U.S. Senator Rick Santorum Republican

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The 2000 United States Senate election in Pennsylvania was held on November 7, 2000. Incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Rick Santorum won re-election to a second term.^[1]

Major candidates

Democratic

• Ron Klink, U.S. Representative

Republican

• Rick Santorum, incumbent U.S. Senator

Campaign

Santorum had gained a reputation as a polarizing figure during his first term in the Senate, but he entered the race with a large fundraising advantage and high levels of support from the political right. The contest began for Democrats with a brutal primary challenge; U.S. Congressman Klink narrowly bested State Senator Allyson Schwartz and former Lieutenant Governor nominee Tom Foley by running on the message that he was the only candidate capable of defeating the Republican. Klink was viewed as a viable choice because he was a traditional Democrat on most issues and had strong union ties but also was pro-life, which Democrats hoped would return votes to their party in the heavily Catholic but economically liberal coal regions of the state. However, enthusiasm around Klink's campaign quickly waned. Liberal Democrats, particularly in the Philadelphia area, balked at donating to a socially conservative candidate who was almost unknown in their area. He was also badly outspent, leaving him unable to expand his presence in the state; he didn't run a single ad on Philadelphia television. Santorum, in contrast, successfully balanced his national recognition on social issues with local concerns en route to a surprisingly large victory.^[2]

Results

References

1. ↑ Commonwealth of PA - Elections Information
2. ↑ Pennsylvania Elections: Statewide Contests from 1950-2004
3. ↑ http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2000/2000Stat.htm