The Other McCain

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PA-12 LIVE Election Results; UPDATE: Democrat Wins; Burns Concedes

Posted on | May 18, 2010 | 122 Comments

WASHINGTON, Pa.
Election results online here.

11:30 p.m. ET: Well, everybody else has gone to drown their sorrows, but I’ve still got to hit a late deadline for The American Spectator. A defeat is always harder to report than a victory. Maybe when I get off deadline, I’ll feel better. If anyone feels an overwhelming urge to hit the tip jar — hey, don’t fight the feeling.

Part 1 of the concession speech:

Part II of the concession speech:

10:55 p.m. ET: The people who supported his campaign “will not give up, and they will not give in,” Burns said in his concession speech. Video to come shortly.

10:30 p.m. ET: With 74% of precincts reporting district-wide, it’s Critz 54%, Burns 43% and, looking at county-by-county results, I don’t see where Burns can make up the difference.

Critz wins. Just heard that Burns called Critz to concede. Expect Burns to make concession speech about 10:45 p.m. Will update.

10:16 p.m. ET: In Indiana County — where Tim Burns went to college at IUP — it’s Burns 57%, Critz 41% with 38% of precincts reporting. The music in the ballroom now: “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey.

10:14 p.m. ET: In rural Somerset County, 88% of precincts are reporting, dead even, Burns 49%, Critz 49%

10:07 p.m. ET: In Westmoreland County, only 14% of precincts reporting, Burns 50%, Critz 48% — three weeks ago, a campaign source said Westmoreland would be decisive. We continue watching . . .

9:55 p.m. ET: Just got off the phone with a source who is at the Fayette County Courthouse, which he says is now swarming with election lawyers watching eagle-eyed over the ballot-count after the report of double-voting. Meanwhile, Dave Weigel notes the potential for Libertarian candidate Demo Agoris to play spoiler if the race is, as my source says, “tight.”

9:45 p.m. ET: 11% of precincts now reporting — Critz 58%, Burns 39%, and 3% for the Libertarian candidate. Waiting for more numbers . . .

9:30 p.m. ET: With just 6% of precincts reporting, Critz 62%, Burns 38%, but Diana Irey said don’t worry about such early numbers. Based on previous experience, I’d say you won’t get a better idea of the result until 70% of precincts are reporting. We wait . . .

9:20 p.m. ET: Still waiting for more numbers. Meanwhile, more photos:

Tim’s father, Ed Burns, and Tim’s son, Brock Burns.

Brock Burns rocks the fedora.

9:10 p.m. ET: Diana Irey just got me some results. Five precincts reporting from a 3-to-1 Democrat area in the city of Washington, Critz 803 (55%), Burns 667 (45%). And this indicates . . .? “He’s gonna win,” Irey says — “he” meaning Burns, of course.

The music in the grand ballroom right now just hit Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Gimme Three Steps.” That’s a good omen.

8:55 p.m.: Now seriously hassling the sources: “Numbers! I want some %#&#ing numbers!” Until I get the numbers, what I can tell you is that all the Burns people who worked precincts today felt encouraged. One guy talked to a Democrat operative who was reportedly impressed with the GOP turnout. But that’s just anecdotal. I want some %#&#ing numbers!

8:50 p.m. ET: Just another completely random “man on the street” interview:

Meanwhile, that random kid’s dad gets interviewed:

8:30 p.m.: I’m currently hassling sources: “Numbers! I need numbers!”

8:10 p.m.: I was just showing the video of campaign HQ to Ed Burns — Tim’s dad — when he said, “Oh, there’s Tim. Gotta go.” Video inside the grand ballroom:

7:55 p.m. ET — Polls close at 8 p.m., and the dignitaries and media are already beginning to gather in the second-floor grand ballroom of the posh George Washington Hotel for what Republicans hope will be a victory celebration for Tim Burns in Pennsylvania”s 12th District.

EXPECT UPDATES . . .

Category: Congress, Election, Pennsylvania

Comments

122 Responses to “PA-12 LIVE Election Results; UPDATE: Democrat Wins; Burns Concedes”

  1. Garrett Watson
    May 18th, 2010 @ 9:18 pm

    Westmoreland County
    Link to County web site for Election Results
    *** 106 out of 149 Districts (71.14%) Reporting Countywide ***

    Representative in Congress
    12th Congressional District

    Candidate Votes Percent
    CRITZ, MARK S. (DEM)

    10,256 49.3%
    BURNS, TIM (REP)

    10,107 48.6%
    AGORIS, DEMO (LIB)

    434 2.1%

  2. Garrett Watson
    May 19th, 2010 @ 2:21 am

    @DaMav, I believe I was just saying it was odd, I think there needs to be a uniform machine, preferably a touchscreen voting machine used throughout the country.

  3. Garrett Watson
    May 18th, 2010 @ 9:21 pm

    @DaMav, I believe I was just saying it was odd, I think there needs to be a uniform machine, preferably a touchscreen voting machine used throughout the country.

  4. Joe
    May 19th, 2010 @ 2:28 am

    Snarlin Arlen went down today.

  5. Joe
    May 18th, 2010 @ 9:28 pm

    Snarlin Arlen went down today.

  6. Tim the enchanter
    May 19th, 2010 @ 2:29 am

    Will Burns run in November?

  7. Tim the enchanter
    May 18th, 2010 @ 9:29 pm

    Will Burns run in November?

  8. Garrett Watson
    May 19th, 2010 @ 2:31 am

    @Joe, I wanted Arlen to win, he would be easier to beat in November.

  9. Garrett Watson
    May 18th, 2010 @ 9:31 pm

    @Joe, I wanted Arlen to win, he would be easier to beat in November.

  10. Garrett Watson
    May 19th, 2010 @ 2:32 am

    Well let’s see how the Hawaii special election goes tonight.

  11. Garrett Watson
    May 18th, 2010 @ 9:32 pm

    Well let’s see how the Hawaii special election goes tonight.

  12. Joe
    May 19th, 2010 @ 2:36 am

    Garett, I agree, but what the heck. That diseased scab had to go sometime.

  13. Joe
    May 18th, 2010 @ 9:36 pm

    Garett, I agree, but what the heck. That diseased scab had to go sometime.

  14. TBinSTL
    May 19th, 2010 @ 2:37 am

    RSM, you sir, may be a Jonah….

  15. ak4mc
    May 19th, 2010 @ 2:37 am

    A uniform national voting standard wouldn’t be constitutional (at least, a real Supreme Court wouldn’t uphold it).

    As for paper ballots, they were the rule in every election I voted in from June 1980 until after the Florida 2000 mess — and in California, 1980-94, the “paper” in question was punch-card ballots, often with a “butterfly” configuration. There was never a Florida-2000-style Charlie-Foxtrot in California over the punch-card butterfly in all the years they were used there, despite the state’s increasingly out-of-proportion share of the Electoral College after each census.

  16. TBinSTL
    May 18th, 2010 @ 9:37 pm

    RSM, you sir, may be a Jonah….

  17. ak4mc
    May 18th, 2010 @ 9:37 pm

    A uniform national voting standard wouldn’t be constitutional (at least, a real Supreme Court wouldn’t uphold it).

    As for paper ballots, they were the rule in every election I voted in from June 1980 until after the Florida 2000 mess — and in California, 1980-94, the “paper” in question was punch-card ballots, often with a “butterfly” configuration. There was never a Florida-2000-style Charlie-Foxtrot in California over the punch-card butterfly in all the years they were used there, despite the state’s increasingly out-of-proportion share of the Electoral College after each census.

  18. ak4mc
    May 19th, 2010 @ 2:38 am

    Don’t underestimate Sestak; I’m sure he’ll find his own uniquely personal way to self-destruct this fall.

  19. ak4mc
    May 18th, 2010 @ 9:38 pm

    Don’t underestimate Sestak; I’m sure he’ll find his own uniquely personal way to self-destruct this fall.

  20. Joe
    May 19th, 2010 @ 2:41 am

    Update: Enjoy Specter’s humiliation, because in the most important race of the night — the bellwether — the GOP has flamed out.

    Allah the Optomist

    I am sorry Stacy about Burns. Folks retarded enough to vote for Murtha are retarded enough to keep voting Dem.

  21. Garrett Watson
    May 19th, 2010 @ 2:41 am

    Well Sestak, is more liberal the Pelosi, Boxer, ETC., so that won’t help him in rural PA, unless November is like tonight.

  22. Joe
    May 18th, 2010 @ 9:41 pm

    Update: Enjoy Specter’s humiliation, because in the most important race of the night — the bellwether — the GOP has flamed out.

    Allah the Optomist

    I am sorry Stacy about Burns. Folks retarded enough to vote for Murtha are retarded enough to keep voting Dem.

  23. Garrett Watson
    May 18th, 2010 @ 9:41 pm

    Well Sestak, is more liberal the Pelosi, Boxer, ETC., so that won’t help him in rural PA, unless November is like tonight.

  24. JayJay
    May 19th, 2010 @ 2:43 am

    Don’t see this as it appears as also seeing Russell votes and in some districts he got as much as 45% of the vote to Burns 55% in early counting. This is what I feared and mentioned to Dan a few weeks ago.

    Hopefully conservatives will learn from this and not let it happen again.

  25. JayJay
    May 18th, 2010 @ 9:43 pm

    Don’t see this as it appears as also seeing Russell votes and in some districts he got as much as 45% of the vote to Burns 55% in early counting. This is what I feared and mentioned to Dan a few weeks ago.

    Hopefully conservatives will learn from this and not let it happen again.

  26. Obi's Sister
    May 19th, 2010 @ 2:45 am

    🙁

  27. Obi's Sister
    May 18th, 2010 @ 9:45 pm

    🙁

  28. jfxgillis
    May 19th, 2010 @ 2:55 am

    ak4mc:

    Don’t be silly. A uniform national election standard would eminently Constitutional. Art. I Sec. 4 Cl. 1 explicitly allows Congress to override state regulations as to the “time, places and manner” of holding Federal elections.

  29. jfxgillis
    May 18th, 2010 @ 9:55 pm

    ak4mc:

    Don’t be silly. A uniform national election standard would eminently Constitutional. Art. I Sec. 4 Cl. 1 explicitly allows Congress to override state regulations as to the “time, places and manner” of holding Federal elections.

  30. chuck cross
    May 19th, 2010 @ 2:58 am

    What a letdown. Maybe it is time to reach out to traditional conservatives who clearly had it together in the KY (R) Primary. Saul Anuzis was tweeting it was the largest turnout in a (R) primary in KY to date. We need to reach these people.

  31. chuck cross
    May 18th, 2010 @ 9:58 pm

    What a letdown. Maybe it is time to reach out to traditional conservatives who clearly had it together in the KY (R) Primary. Saul Anuzis was tweeting it was the largest turnout in a (R) primary in KY to date. We need to reach these people.

  32. Liz
    May 19th, 2010 @ 3:11 am

    I’m from PA-12 and I voted for Burns. I think having Bill Russell on the ticket hurt, even though I know he’s a good guy in his own right. Can’t figure why Russell didn’t just get out of the race altogether or why the PA Republicans didn’t get behind Russell to begin with. Seemed almost like a grudge match between Burns, Russell and the PA Republicans.

    We need a couple things here in PA-12: one is that we need some good conservative fresh air; the second is to redraw this district back to where we have a fighting chance to win an election. Not everyone here is a mindless drone who pulls the “D” lever.

    Critz is going to be nothing more than a party hack. Count on it.

  33. Liz
    May 18th, 2010 @ 10:11 pm

    I’m from PA-12 and I voted for Burns. I think having Bill Russell on the ticket hurt, even though I know he’s a good guy in his own right. Can’t figure why Russell didn’t just get out of the race altogether or why the PA Republicans didn’t get behind Russell to begin with. Seemed almost like a grudge match between Burns, Russell and the PA Republicans.

    We need a couple things here in PA-12: one is that we need some good conservative fresh air; the second is to redraw this district back to where we have a fighting chance to win an election. Not everyone here is a mindless drone who pulls the “D” lever.

    Critz is going to be nothing more than a party hack. Count on it.

  34. Lonely Conservative
    May 19th, 2010 @ 3:13 am

    What a shame. Just linked. (My trackbacks still aren’t working anywhere.) http://lonelyconservative.com/2010/05/bummer-murtha-staffer-wins-pa-12/

  35. Lonely Conservative
    May 18th, 2010 @ 10:13 pm

    What a shame. Just linked. (My trackbacks still aren’t working anywhere.) http://lonelyconservative.com/2010/05/bummer-murtha-staffer-wins-pa-12/

  36. Senator Specter Defeated
    May 18th, 2010 @ 10:15 pm

    […] As for PA-12, Jack Murtha’s old seat, congratulations to the Critz campaign. […]

  37. Mael
    May 19th, 2010 @ 3:33 am

    I was looking at the numbers and it appears that Burns under performed considerably for counties like Armstrong(I’ve not checked the others). Also Armstrong is a puzzle because it went heavily for McCain and Russell but Critz won it? Some of these numbers really don’t make sense.

    In Armstrong County in particular:

    The net total of Dem votes for the primary was 3,682.
    Mark Critz got 4,366 votes for the special election.

    The net Republicans voting in the county Republican Primary
    3,833

    Burns ended up with 3,343. Even with the Libertarian numbers taken into account these numbers are really screwed up.

    Did Republican Primary voters really shift by such a large Margin to Critz for the special election? I don’t believe it. It appears there are a lot of funny numbers like this.

    Armstrong County should have been an easy win for Burns that he lost it with a clear advantage of Republican favored primary turnout is puzzling.

    Even in the Republican Senate race here were the numbers
    Republican votes= 7587
    Democrat votes=6087

    This really suggests something is wrong. I don’t believe these numbers. I don’t believe Burns could have lost this county yet he did. 54% to 42%. This is really strange and smacks of some chicanery.

  38. Mael
    May 18th, 2010 @ 10:33 pm

    I was looking at the numbers and it appears that Burns under performed considerably for counties like Armstrong(I’ve not checked the others). Also Armstrong is a puzzle because it went heavily for McCain and Russell but Critz won it? Some of these numbers really don’t make sense.

    In Armstrong County in particular:

    The net total of Dem votes for the primary was 3,682.
    Mark Critz got 4,366 votes for the special election.

    The net Republicans voting in the county Republican Primary
    3,833

    Burns ended up with 3,343. Even with the Libertarian numbers taken into account these numbers are really screwed up.

    Did Republican Primary voters really shift by such a large Margin to Critz for the special election? I don’t believe it. It appears there are a lot of funny numbers like this.

    Armstrong County should have been an easy win for Burns that he lost it with a clear advantage of Republican favored primary turnout is puzzling.

    Even in the Republican Senate race here were the numbers
    Republican votes= 7587
    Democrat votes=6087

    This really suggests something is wrong. I don’t believe these numbers. I don’t believe Burns could have lost this county yet he did. 54% to 42%. This is really strange and smacks of some chicanery.

  39. Gateway Pundit
    May 18th, 2010 @ 10:42 pm

    […] Tim Burns concedes in Pennsylvania Congressional race. Bummer. The Other McCain has more on the race. Comments […]

  40. TR Sterling
    May 19th, 2010 @ 4:42 am

    I think Russell caused more than a few dems and loyal repubs to lose their mojo. Critz gave them a huge load of BS about how he is not going to follow the Pelosi bandwagon but that line of malarky will be seen to be what it is when any major new votes are taken in the House. In fact maybe Pelosi will avoid all big votes until Nov for that reason. At any rate, LTC Bill Russell should take his 10% of mail begging money (around 100K for each 1M raised) and move back to VA where he came from. NO one can win a race against your own team and 2:1 dem voter reg setback. Lambs to the slaughter for crying out loud.

  41. TR Sterling
    May 18th, 2010 @ 11:42 pm

    I think Russell caused more than a few dems and loyal repubs to lose their mojo. Critz gave them a huge load of BS about how he is not going to follow the Pelosi bandwagon but that line of malarky will be seen to be what it is when any major new votes are taken in the House. In fact maybe Pelosi will avoid all big votes until Nov for that reason. At any rate, LTC Bill Russell should take his 10% of mail begging money (around 100K for each 1M raised) and move back to VA where he came from. NO one can win a race against your own team and 2:1 dem voter reg setback. Lambs to the slaughter for crying out loud.

  42. Estragon
    May 19th, 2010 @ 5:01 am

    I don’t know about Specter being easier to beat. The guy’s been counted out before, and he has always put up a furious fight, shredding his opponent and the Marquis de Queensbury rules. Sestak is a tough sell for PA – 100% pro abortion, anti-gun, 100% pro-Pelosi voting record. Casey and other Dems at least had the decency to deny their true inclinations.

    There is also the little matter of the bribe Sestak reported publicly, being offered a federal job to drop out. That is at least one felony. Did he report this to the US Attorney? DOJ? Who offered him the job, and precisely when (so we can verify if in fact a conversation took place, or was possible)? Did he cover it up (a crime in itself)?

    Or was he just lying in the first place?

    Toomey should hit him early and keep him on his heels.

  43. Estragon
    May 19th, 2010 @ 12:01 am

    I don’t know about Specter being easier to beat. The guy’s been counted out before, and he has always put up a furious fight, shredding his opponent and the Marquis de Queensbury rules. Sestak is a tough sell for PA – 100% pro abortion, anti-gun, 100% pro-Pelosi voting record. Casey and other Dems at least had the decency to deny their true inclinations.

    There is also the little matter of the bribe Sestak reported publicly, being offered a federal job to drop out. That is at least one felony. Did he report this to the US Attorney? DOJ? Who offered him the job, and precisely when (so we can verify if in fact a conversation took place, or was possible)? Did he cover it up (a crime in itself)?

    Or was he just lying in the first place?

    Toomey should hit him early and keep him on his heels.

  44. Estragon
    May 19th, 2010 @ 5:06 am

    Too bad about Burns, he would make a great Representative. Perhaps after Critz gets a few votes under his belt, he will be more vulnerable. I don’t know about November, but it’s a sad state of affairs when the decent people of that area opt to stick with the corruption they’ve fostered for 30 years.

    May God have mercy on them.

    Dear Blanche has a run-off, which is great news. She and Halter get to spend more national Dem money knocking each other down, while Boozman works on party unity and saves his nickels for the fall.

  45. Thrasymachus
    May 19th, 2010 @ 5:06 am

    Murtha was a bad and corrupt guy all around. But the people in this district are accustomed to being on the government teat and they are not going to give it up.

  46. Estragon
    May 19th, 2010 @ 12:06 am

    Too bad about Burns, he would make a great Representative. Perhaps after Critz gets a few votes under his belt, he will be more vulnerable. I don’t know about November, but it’s a sad state of affairs when the decent people of that area opt to stick with the corruption they’ve fostered for 30 years.

    May God have mercy on them.

    Dear Blanche has a run-off, which is great news. She and Halter get to spend more national Dem money knocking each other down, while Boozman works on party unity and saves his nickels for the fall.

  47. Thrasymachus
    May 19th, 2010 @ 12:06 am

    Murtha was a bad and corrupt guy all around. But the people in this district are accustomed to being on the government teat and they are not going to give it up.

  48. Conservatives4Palin.com: Governor Palin Talks to Hannity Tonight … - wpparty.com
    May 19th, 2010 @ 12:45 am

    […] Update II by Doug: Robert Stacy McCain is blogging live from Tim Burns’ campaign headquarters in Johnstown here. […]

  49. Virginia Right! News Hound for 5/19/2010 | Virginia Right!
    May 19th, 2010 @ 5:29 am

    […] PA-12 LIVE Election Results; UPDATE: Democrat Wins; Burns Concedes […]

  50. Lessons/Differences from Pa-12 and Mass Senate « DaTechguy's Blog
    May 19th, 2010 @ 7:21 am

    […] this race you see that this race was not the Scott Brown race, in fact it was a race that would be tough for a republican. Lets look at the […]