U.S. House, Pennsylvania - 13th District
East -- northeast Philadelphia, part of Montgomery County suburbs
Race Information
- Incumbent: Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz, D
- First Elected: 2004 (2nd term)
- Last Elected: 2006 (66.13%)
- Incumbent Status: Running for re-election
- Race Forecast: Safe Democrat
District Information
Politics in America District Profile
With its residents nearly evenly divided between Montgomery County and Northeast Philadelphia, the 13th combines white-collar suburbia with a portion of the city known for its blue-collar grit. The district extends northwest from the Delaware River in the city into northern Montgomery County suburbs and eventually out into rural areas near the county’s western border.
Prescription drugs and health care are prevalent issues in the district, thanks to a large senior citizen population in Northeast Philadelphia. Education also draws attention, as Philadelphia public schools are in worse shape than Montgomery County schools. Public housing and energy issues also are of concern to residents.
Many shopping centers, strip malls, health care and pharmaceutical facilities and small businesses are found throughout Northeast Philadelphia. Planned redevelopment along the Delaware River would add new housing, a greenway trail and public access to the north riverfront. The 2005 BRAC round ordered Naval Air Station Willow Grove closed by 2011, but the state hopes to take over the base and reduce estimated job losses. The 13th also includes Philadelphia Northeast Airport, a general aviation airport.
Democrats have enjoyed an advantage in recent statewide and federal races, while local races in Montgomery County tend to be more competitive. Since 1988, Montgomery has gone from voting Republican for president by 22 percentage points to backing Democrat John Kerry by 12 points in 2004. Overall, Kerry took 56 percent of the 13th’s 2004 vote.
Major Industry
Health and business services, chemicals
Military Bases
Naval Air Station Willow Grove, 1,569 military, 754 civilian (2007)
Cities
Philadelphia (pt.), 306,002; Lansdale, 16,071
Notable
Pennypack Park, which is known as the green heart of Northeast Philadelphia, is home to the Pennypack Bridge — a stone bridge that has been in use since 1697.
- Demographics (2000 census)
- Population: 647,435
- Under 18: 23%
- Over 65: 17%
- Married: 56.0%
- Non-Hispanic White: 86%
- Black: 6%
- Hispanic: 3%
- Asian: 4%
- Foreign Born: 9.6%
- Language other than English: 14.0%
- Median Household Income: 49,319
- Owner Occupied Housing: 72%
- Income above $200k: 3
- Workforce/Education (2000 census)
- White Collar: 68.1%
- Blue Collar: 19.4%
- Services: 12.5%
- Bachelor's Degree: 29%
- Graduate Education: 10.7%
- Civilian Veterans: 63,381
| Year | Election | Candidate | Votes | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | general | Allyson Schwartz (D) | 193,194 | 62.8% |
| Marina Kats (R) | 106,242 | 34.5% | ||
| John McDermott (CNSTP) | 8,204 | 2.7% | ||
| 2006 | general | Allyson Schwartz (D) | 147,368 | 66.1% |
| Raj Bhakta (R) | 75,492 | 33.9% | ||
| 2004 | general | Allyson Schwartz (D) | 171,763 | 55.8% |
| Melissa Brown (R) | 127,205 | 41.3% | ||
| John McDermott (CNSTP) | 5,291 | 1.7% | ||
| Chuck Moulton (LIBERT) | 3,865 | 1.2% | ||
| 2002 | general | Joseph Hoeffel (D) | 107,945 | 51% |
| Melissa Brown (R) | 100,295 | 47.3% | ||
| John McDermott (CNSTP) | 3,627 | 1.7% | ||
| Year | Democrat | Republican | Independent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | John Kerry: 56% | George W. Bush: 43% | |
| 2000 | Al Gore: 56% | George W. Bush: 42% |
Campaign Finance Details for the 2008 Race
| Filers | Through | Total Receipts | Total Disbursements | Total From PACs | Total From Individuals | Ending Cash | Debts Owed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BHAKTA, RAJ PETER (R) | September 30, 2008 | $1,102.00 | $572.00 | $839.00 | |||
| BROWN, MELISSA M (R) | September 30, 2008 | $2.00 | $2,640.00 | $13,396.00 | $1,660,800.00 | ||
| COHEN, MARK B (D) | June 30, 2008 | $301.00 | $2,191.00 | ||||
| TAUBENBERGER, ALFRED W (R) | November 24, 2008 | $187.00 | $10,725.00 | ||||
| SCHWARTZ, ALLYSON Y. (D) | November 24, 2008 | $3,149,322.00 | $1,707,683.00 | $1,976,297.00 | $2,006,316.00 | ||
| KATS, MARINA (R) | November 24, 2008 | $500,140.00 | $500,141.00 | $5,100.00 | $160,619.00 | ||
