PA-17 Holden Seems Safe

Tim Holden, a Blue Dog Democrat from Schuylkill County is essentially running unopposed in the 17th Congressional District. Brett Lieberman of the Harrisburg Patriot News (hat tip to GrassrootsPA) reports his opponent Matthew Wertz isn't raising any money and his campaign is dead in the water. With little money in the bank and a borrowed staffer from the state Republican Party Wertz is refusing to step aside. He even missed an FEC reporting deadline. Maybe he had nothing to report.

The irony here is that the GOP redrew this District in 2000 to get rid of Holden. They combined him with George Gekas and removed much of Tim's loyal base in Berks County. Holden turned around and beat Gekas. Then in 2004 they ran as big a name as the state has in Scott Paterno. Holden won going away. Now, in 2006 they can't muster anything more than a sacrificial lamb. I suppose it can't get Wertz than this for Republicans in the 17th.