CQPolitics

Anchored in the eastern part of south-central Pennsylvania, the 17th is home to Harrisburg, the state capital, which sits 100 miles west of Philadelphia and 200 miles east of Pittsburgh. The 17th has two distinct zones: a stretch of agricultural lands along the Susquehanna River in the west, and industrial areas in Schuylkill and Berks counties in the east. Here, in GOP-minded central Pennsylvania, state government and manufacturing remain key sources of employment.

Harrisburg’s skyline is dominated by the Capitol, with a dome inspired by St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. With many government employees and a black majority, the city typically votes Democratic. Visitors wanting a real taste of Dauphin County skip Harrisburg and go to Hershey, also known as “the sweetest place on Earth,” where even the streetlights are shaped like Hershey Kisses. The chocolate factory stands in the center of town, emitting the most pleasant of industrial odors.

Computer and electrical components manufacturing drive the economy in Dauphin and Lebanon counties. Harrisburg, in Dauphin, is a major distribution hub for metropolitan markets in the mid-Atlantic region, and it hosts the Penn State Hershey Medical Center. The proliferation of service jobs has helped mitigate the impact of other losses. Officials look to balance the needs of agricultural producers with those of industrial workers, making trade a potent issue in the 17th.

The 17th has a distinct Republican lean, but moderate Democrats can play here due to the district’s mix of agrarian and industrial communities. The GOP is strong in Lebanon County and in the areas of Dauphin outside of Harrisburg. Democrats are competitive in Schuylkill County, long a coal mining powerhouse, with comfortable margins in Shenandoah, Pottsville and Mahanoy. Republican gubernatorial nominee Lynn Swann won both Dauphin and Lebanon counties in his unsuccessful 2006 campaign. George W. Bush took 58 percent of the district’s vote in the 2004 presidential election.

Major Industry

Government, service, manufacturing, tourism, agriculture, biotechnology

Cities

Harrisburg, 48,950; Lebanon, 24,461; Pottsville, 15,549

Notable

Pottsville is home to Yuengling, America’s oldest active brewery.