Democrat Chris Carney’s race against Republican incumbent Don Sherwood was not only one that rocked the state of Pennsylvania’s political landscape, but it was also one that got considerable national attention and helped shift control of Congress to Democrats.

Carney’s campaign was vastly different from a typical Democratic campaign. Engaging the services of CR+S, the Carney campaign deliberately focused on areas where they ran a little weaker (among independents and Republicans) and launched an aggressive phone ID campaign with appropriate follow-up. We also helped the Carney campaign in their GOTV efforts the last week of the election, reminding, activating and energizing Democrats to get out and vote for Carney.  

This district, as recently as 2006 was called a “safe Republican” district and no Democrat had file for the seat since 1998. This race was clearly an uphill battle from the beginning after the 2000 redistricting and by the fact that George W. Bush won this district by a 56-40 margin in 2000 and again by a 60-40 margin in 2004. All efforts were successful as Carney defeated the incumbent Sherwood by a 53-47 margin and more than 8000 votes.