PA-8: R's Have Candidate

Saying that “[D]istrict lines may change but people don’t,” venture capitalist John Chrin (R) announced that he will continue to challenge Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-Moosic/Scranton) in the upcoming election.  Since the new redistricting plan radically changed Rep. Cartwright’s 17th District, there had been some question as to whether Mr. Chrin, who has over $914,000 in his campaign account thanks largely to his $700,000 loan, would remain in the new 8th District, or battle for the open 7th District.  The latter seat houses the Lehigh Valley area where Mr. Chrin was raised, but the new 8th’s Republican numbers are stronger. 
 
The state Supreme Court’s special master creating the 8th District in its new form surprised the Democrats because the voting history puts the seat squarely into play for November.  It is the only current Democratic district that now becomes competitive under the new plan.  We can expect a hot contest here, now that Mr. Chrin has firmly decided where he will run.

--Jim Ellis