WASHINGTON, April 25 – U.S. Rep. Tim Holden, who is the ranking minority member on the House Agriculture Committee’s Conservation Subcommittee, lost his primary in Pennsylvania’s 17th District last night to Democratic challenger Matt Cartwright, 57% to 43%.
Holden, who was first elected to Congress in 1992, is one of his party’s conservative, Blue Dog Democrats. With redistricting, he ran in areas of the state which were about about 80% new, compared to his previous, Republican-leaning district.
Cartwright, a personal injury lawyer, campaigned against Holden as being too conservative for voters in the newly redrawn district. He had lots of outside help. For example, Cartwright won support from MoveOn.Org and the League of Conservation Voters chipped in thousands for campaign ads to defeat Holden.
Holden’s fellow Pennsylvania Blue Dog, Jason Altmire, also went down to defeat in a primary battle against Mark Critz.
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