House Transportation Committee Chairman Shuster Narrowly Survives Primary Challenge
A significant television ad presence in central Pennsylvania's 9th Congressional District helped incumbent Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pa.), chairman of the transportation committee in the House, barely shake off a challenge by a tea party-backed candidate on April 26.
In the close contest, Shuster accrued 50.5% of the vote, while retired Coast Guard Capt. Art Halvorson garnered 49.5%, after results from every precinct were reported. The slim margin was a vast improvement for the challenger who had lost by nearly 20 percentage points in 2014.
During the campaign, Shuster stressed he had distinguished himself on Capitol Hill by having conservative credentials on the role of government and individual rights, and bragged about his opposition to the Obama administration’s policies.
"I am honored to represent a region that I have called home my entire life, and I thank the people of the 9th District for electing me to represent the Republican Party in the election this November," Shuster said in a statement. "My campaign focused on a positive message of conservative solutions that cut spending and put up a roadblock to President Obama’s disastrous agenda, and I won’t stop fighting for these values.”
Halvorson, meanwhile, pushed Shuster hard on his ties with an airline industry lobbyist, suggesting Shuster should step down from his chairmanship because of the relationship. Shuster repeatedly defended his relationship with the industry lobbyist, noting he had adhered to ethics rules while his committee crafted an aviation reform bill.
This victory cemented Shuster’s stronghold in the very conservative district that has been represented by a Shuster for more than 40 years. Shuster first won the seat in 2001, after his father, Bud Shuster, retired. Bud Shuster had been chairman of the transportation committee in the House, and authored books on American exceptionalism.
Shuster has amassed more than $1 million for this election cycle. A Democratic candidate has yet to register in the safe Republican district.
