Feb 11, 2018 5 min read

There is something happening here when the attention of the nation turns toward Southwestern Pennsylvania, and the region will remain in the spotlight until March 13. What may not be exactly clear is that this is the day that has been set aside for a special election to decide who will fill the remainder of disgraced Republican Congressman Tim Murphy’s seat in the 18th Congressional District.

This unusual special election involves voters in portions of Greene, Washington, Allegheny and Westmoreland counties. What is also not exactly clear is which voters will be voting in the special election, and again in the May 15 primary in the 18th District. On Jan. 22, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court issued an order finding the boundaries of the state’s congressional districts unconstitutional. The U.S. Supreme Court refused to issue a stay last week. But an exception was carved out for the March 13 election. The end result is that voters for the March 13 special election may not be the same voters on May 15, the scheduled primary for the full two-year term in the 18th District.

Confusing yes. But the show must go on.

To emphasize the importance of this contest, President Trump flew into Pittsburgh Feb. 18 to heap praise on the Republican candidate, Rick Saccone. Saccone is in many ways Trump’s mini-me, proudly boasting he was “Trump before Trump was Trump.” That is, Trump without the billions of dollars, golf courses or trophy wife. But Saccone is Trump in all things political when it comes to racist immigration policies that fly in the face long accepted norms; contempt for women’s rights; a tax bonanza for the wealthy and corporations; and a promise to cut social programs.

Saccone introduced a resolution in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives calling for 2012 to be declared the “Year of the Bible.” During his tenure in the House, he has received a 0 percent rating from Planned Parenthood, and a 6 percent rating from the Sierra Club on environmental issues.

Saccone’s Democratic opponent is attorney Conor Lamb, a fresh political face with impressive credentials. He attended the University of Pennsylvania as an undergraduate, and earned his law degree from its prestigious law school. Lamb’s stellar professional career has been as a federal prosecutor, bringing to justice drug dealers responsible for the opioid crisis. Prior to that, he served as a captain in the U.S. Marine Corps and Marine Corps Reserves, where he prosecuted and obtained a conviction from an officer charged with sexual misconduct.

Unlike Saccone, who has hitched his wagon to Trump, Lamb is running as a moderate Democrat with an independent voice. He has said, “It is clear this Congress is not working for the people. I think we need new leadership (including Nancy Pelosi) on both sides.”

The bedrock issues of his campaign include bringing an end to the opioid crisis; seeking the immediate introduction of an infrastructure bill; fighting for affordable health care; protecting Medicare and Social Security; finding a solution for student loan relief and supporting modern energy development.

Even though the special election is more than a month away, both Saccone and Lamb have bought up blocks of media time to place their respective positions before local voters. Significantly, Saccone is relying on large conservative and corporate Super PACS to raise money while Lamb is counting on individual donations to fund his campaign.

What is all the fuss about, and why should voters trudge to the polls for a one-off election in early March? First and foremost, political pundits of all persuasions view this special election as a preview of the all-important November midterm elections, where the Democrats hope to recapture the U.S. House of Representatives.

Many questions will have some answers after the March 13 special election. Can a moderate Democrat win in a conservative Pennsylvania congressional district? What will be the Democratic Party’s appeal to white working class voters who voted for Trump in 2016? Will these voters feel betrayed by a president who promised he would fight for them, but instead has favored corporate America? Does the 58 percent of Americans who disapprove of the President’s job performance include a majority of voters in the 18th Congressional District? The optics of this election are enormous, and the result far outweighs the importance of this one congressional seat. The outcome will be viewed as a referendum on President Trump’s first year in office.

I have met Lamb, and was struck by his calm demeanor and young, vibrant Kennedyesque appearance. You know right away that you are in the presence of the real deal. Many voters will experience this opportunity as Lamb schedules events and knocks on doors throughout the district. Those who meet with him will find a candidate more than ready for the challenge.

It is not often that local voters get to decide an election with such national implications, and to make a statement to the rest of the country. It is not often that the two candidates offer such a stark contrast on their views of the nation and how to address its problems.