2006 New Member Profiles
Pennsylvania's Fourth District: Jason Altmire (D)
The Almanac of American Politics
© National Journal Group Inc.
| Jason Altmire |
| Born: |
March 7, 1968 |
| Family: |
Wife, Kelly; two children |
| Religion: |
Catholic |
| Education: |
Florida State University, B.S. 1990; George Washington University, M.H.A. 1998 |
| Career: |
Congressional staffer; health care executive |
Elected
Office: |
None
|
Although
Jason Altmire, who defeated Republican Rep.
Melissa Hart, has never held elected office, he's no stranger to Washington politics.
After graduating from Florida State University, Altmire spent six years as a legislative aide to then-Rep. Pete Peterson, D-Fla. Following a short stint with the Federation of American Hospitals, he returned home to western Pennsylvania in 1998 for a job with the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, eventually becoming vice president for government relations, before quitting in August 2005 to run for Congress.
In the May 16 Democratic primary, Altmire trailed businesswoman Georgia Berner in fundraising, a prelude to the financial gap he would face against Hart in the general election campaign. Although Berner raised more money, thanks in large part to a $200,000 personal loan she made to her campaign, support from key labor groups carried Altmire to victory in the primary.
When he fell well behind his fundraising goal of $1 million, Altmire, a moderate, turned to two liberal lightning rods to help fill his coffers. In July, the challenger went door-to-door with Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean. In October, comedian and author Al Franken was the featured guest at an Altmire fundraiser.
By late October, Altmire had closed the gap enough to draw attention and funds from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. One DCCC-backed ad tied the incumbent to the sinking popularity of President Bush and GOP Sen. Rick Santorum, Hart's political mentor. "Hart has sided with Bush and Santorum -- and against us," the ad declared.
Overall, the 4th District's heritage is Democratic, but it has been trending modestly toward the Republicans. President Bush carried this district with 52 percent in 2000 and 54 percent in 2004.
In three previous elections, Hart's Democratic challengers lacked the finances and the credentials to give her a serious fight. This time, she outspent Altmire by 3-to-1, but he still remained competitive. In a bad year for the GOP nationwide, Altmire's opposition to abortion and gun control gave socially conservative Democrats and frustrated Republicans enough reason to switch.
