United States presidential election, 2004, in Pennsylvania
Encyclopedia
The 2004 United States presidential election in Pennsylvania took place on November 2, 2004 throughout all 50 states and D.C., which was part of the 2004 United States presidential election
. Voters chose 21 representatives, or electors to the Electoral College, who voted for President
and Vice President
.
Pennsylvania
was won by Democratic nominee John Kerry
by a 2.5% margin of victory. Prior to the election, most news organizations considered this a toss-up, or swing state
. the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has voted for the Democratic presidential nominee in every election since 1992
, the margins of victory have become smaller over the past elections. On election day, Kerry won the state with 50.9% of the vote, but won only 13 of the 67 counties in Pennsylvania. Most of these 13 counties have the highest populations in the commonwealth. The biggest key to Kerry's victory was winning the County of Philadelphia with 80% of the vote.
won here in 2000 with barely 50% of the vote. In late October 2004, the state was split at 47% on whether or not to approve of Bush. But Kerry won the poll 48% to 46% in the last Mason Dixon poll. Throughout the election of 2004, Kerry won most of the polls in the upper 40% to lower 50% range. However, Bush polled within the margin of error, usually in the mid 40% range. In the last Real Clear Politics average Kerry was leading with 48% and by almost a 1% margin.
, and Erie
. While it should be noted that smaller Kerry-held cities which voted for the Senator by narrow margins assisted him in advancing his margin over President Bush, many political analysts underscored the fact that if Philadelphia were excluded, President George W. Bush
would have won Pennsylvania by a fairly slim margin, with 2,663,748 versus 2,395,890 for Kerry. Interestingly, though Pennsylvania is closely divided in most elections, it has not voted Republican
in a Presidential election since 1988.
Philadelphia and Pittsburgh were the biggest contributors to Kerry's victory in Pennsylvania. However, many independents in suburban Philadelphia counties (Bucks, Delaware, Montgomery, and somewhat in Chester) voted for Kerry, which may well have been the deciding factor. Kerry also had narrow margins of victory around cities like Allentown, Scranton, Erie, and the traditionally Democratic Pittsburgh suburbs; he also garnered many votes in certain rural areas such as parts of the Poconos and the Laurel Highlands, and in cities like Reading, Johnstown, Harrisburg, and State College. Bush's margins were extremely large in Central Pennsylvania and the sparsely populated Northern Tier, with traditional GOP cities such as Lancaster, Lebanon, York, Altoona, Huntingdon, and Williamsport strongly throwing their support behind him. This area, along with rural western Maryland, was clearly the most conservative in the Northeast.
.
The electors of each state and the District of Columbia met on December 13, 2004 to cast their votes for President and Vice President. The Electoral College itself never meets as one body. Instead the electors from each state and the District of Columbia met in their respective capitols.
The following were the members of the Electoral College from the state. All 21 were pledged for Kerry/Edwards.
United States presidential election, 2004
The United States presidential election of 2004 was the United States' 55th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on Tuesday, November 2, 2004. Republican Party candidate and incumbent President George W. Bush defeated Democratic Party candidate John Kerry, the then-junior U.S. Senator...
. Voters chose 21 representatives, or electors to the Electoral College, who voted for President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
and Vice President
Vice President of the United States
The Vice President of the United States is the holder of a public office created by the United States Constitution. The Vice President, together with the President of the United States, is indirectly elected by the people, through the Electoral College, to a four-year term...
.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
was won by Democratic nominee John Kerry
John Kerry
John Forbes Kerry is the senior United States Senator from Massachusetts, the 10th most senior U.S. Senator and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He was the presidential nominee of the Democratic Party in the 2004 presidential election, but lost to former President George W...
by a 2.5% margin of victory. Prior to the election, most news organizations considered this a toss-up, or swing state
Swing state
In United States presidential politics, a swing state is a state in which no single candidate or party has overwhelming support in securing that state's electoral college votes...
. the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has voted for the Democratic presidential nominee in every election since 1992
United States presidential election, 1992
The United States presidential election of 1992 had three major candidates: Incumbent Republican President George Bush; Democratic Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton, and independent Texas businessman Ross Perot....
, the margins of victory have become smaller over the past elections. On election day, Kerry won the state with 50.9% of the vote, but won only 13 of the 67 counties in Pennsylvania. Most of these 13 counties have the highest populations in the commonwealth. The biggest key to Kerry's victory was winning the County of Philadelphia with 80% of the vote.
Predictions
There were 12 news organizations who made state by state predictions of the election. Here are their last predictions before election day.- D.C. Political Report: Toss-Up
- Associated PressAssociated PressThe Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
: Toss-Up - CNNCNNCable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
: Kerry - Cook Political ReportCook Political ReportThe Cook Political Report is an independent, non-partisan online newsletter that analyzes elections and campaigns for the United States House of Representatives, the United States Senate, Governor's offices and the American Presidency. The Cook Political Report is led by a staff of five...
: Toss-Up - NewsweekNewsweekNewsweek is an American weekly news magazine published in New York City. It is distributed throughout the United States and internationally. It is the second-largest news weekly magazine in the U.S., having trailed Time in circulation and advertising revenue for most of its existence...
: Leans Kerry - New York Times: Leans Kerry
- Rasmussen ReportsRasmussen ReportsRasmussen Reports is an American media company that publishes and distributes information based on public opinion polling. Founded by pollster Scott Rasmussen in 2003, the company updates daily indexes including the President's job approval rating, and provides public opinion data, analysis, and...
: Toss-Up - Research 2000Research 2000Research 2000 is a U.S. opinion polling and marketing research company based in Olney, Maryland. It began doing research on upcoming elections in 1999 after its President, Del Ali, moved on from Mason-Dixon Political Media Research...
: Leans Kerry - Washington Post: Battleground
- Washington Times: Battleground
- Zogby InternationalZogby InternationalIBOPE Zogby International is an international market research, opinion polling firm founded in 1984 by John Zogby. The company polls and consults for a wide spectrum of business media, government, and political groups, and conducts public opinion research in more than 70 countries...
: Kerry - Washington Dispatch: Kerry
Polling
Al GoreAl Gore
Albert Arnold "Al" Gore, Jr. served as the 45th Vice President of the United States , under President Bill Clinton. He was the Democratic Party's nominee for President in the 2000 U.S. presidential election....
won here in 2000 with barely 50% of the vote. In late October 2004, the state was split at 47% on whether or not to approve of Bush. But Kerry won the poll 48% to 46% in the last Mason Dixon poll. Throughout the election of 2004, Kerry won most of the polls in the upper 40% to lower 50% range. However, Bush polled within the margin of error, usually in the mid 40% range. In the last Real Clear Politics average Kerry was leading with 48% and by almost a 1% margin.
Advertising and visits
Bush campaigned heavily in the state and dropped by here over 20 times in 2004. But it wasn't enough to swing the undecided voters as Kerry won the state's electors with almost 51% of the vote, slightly higher than Gore.Analysis
This Kerry victory can be attributed to the overwhelmingly Democratic cities of Philadelphia, PittsburghPittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
, and Erie
Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie is a city located in northwestern Pennsylvania in the United States. Named for the lake and the Native American tribe that resided along its southern shore, Erie is the state's fourth-largest city , with a population of 102,000...
. While it should be noted that smaller Kerry-held cities which voted for the Senator by narrow margins assisted him in advancing his margin over President Bush, many political analysts underscored the fact that if Philadelphia were excluded, President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
would have won Pennsylvania by a fairly slim margin, with 2,663,748 versus 2,395,890 for Kerry. Interestingly, though Pennsylvania is closely divided in most elections, it has not voted Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
in a Presidential election since 1988.
Philadelphia and Pittsburgh were the biggest contributors to Kerry's victory in Pennsylvania. However, many independents in suburban Philadelphia counties (Bucks, Delaware, Montgomery, and somewhat in Chester) voted for Kerry, which may well have been the deciding factor. Kerry also had narrow margins of victory around cities like Allentown, Scranton, Erie, and the traditionally Democratic Pittsburgh suburbs; he also garnered many votes in certain rural areas such as parts of the Poconos and the Laurel Highlands, and in cities like Reading, Johnstown, Harrisburg, and State College. Bush's margins were extremely large in Central Pennsylvania and the sparsely populated Northern Tier, with traditional GOP cities such as Lancaster, Lebanon, York, Altoona, Huntingdon, and Williamsport strongly throwing their support behind him. This area, along with rural western Maryland, was clearly the most conservative in the Northeast.
Results
| United States presidential election in Pennsylvania, 2004 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | Percentage | Electoral votes | |
| Democratic Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... |
John Kerry John Kerry John Forbes Kerry is the senior United States Senator from Massachusetts, the 10th most senior U.S. Senator and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He was the presidential nominee of the Democratic Party in the 2004 presidential election, but lost to former President George W... |
2,938,095 | 50.9% | 21 | |
| Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
George W. Bush George W. Bush George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000.... (Inc.) |
2,793,847 | 48.4% | 0 | |
| Libertarian Libertarian Party (United States) The Libertarian Party is the third largest and fastest growing political party in the United States. The political platform of the Libertarian Party reflects its brand of libertarianism, favoring minimally regulated, laissez-faire markets, strong civil liberties, minimally regulated migration... |
Michael Badnarik Michael Badnarik Michael J. Badnarik is an American software engineer, political figure, and former radio talk show host. He was the Libertarian Party nominee for President of the United States in the 2004 elections, and placed fourth in the race, behind independent candidate Ralph Nader... |
21,185 | 0.4% | 0 | |
| Green Green Party (United States) The Green Party of the United States is a nationally recognized political party which officially formed in 1991. It is a voluntary association of state green parties. Prior to national formation, many state affiliates had already formed and were recognized by other state parties... |
David Cobb David Cobb David Keith Cobb is an American activist and was the 2004 presidential candidate of the Green Party of the United States .-Career and political activities:... |
6,319 | 0.1% | 0 | |
| Constitution | Michael Peroutka Michael Peroutka Michael Anthony Peroutka is a Maryland lawyer, the founder of the Institute on the Constitution. He once held a position in the United States Department of Health and Human Services and was the Constitution Party candidate for president in 2004. He is co-host of The American View radio... |
6,319 | 0.1% | 0 | |
| Independent | Ralph Nader Ralph Nader Ralph Nader is an American political activist, as well as an author, lecturer, and attorney. Areas of particular concern to Nader include consumer protection, humanitarianism, environmentalism, and democratic government.... |
2,656 | 0.1% | 0 | |
| Independent | Write Ins | 1,170 | 0.1% | 0 | |
By county
| County | Kerry% | Kerry# | Bush% | Bush# | Others% | Others# |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adams Adams County, Pennsylvania Adams County is a county in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 101,407. It was created on January 22, 1800, from part of York County and named in honor of the second President of the United States, John Adams... |
32.6% | 13,764 | 66.9% | 28,247 | 0.5% | 217 |
| Allegheny Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Allegheny County is a county in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 1,223,348; making it the second most populous county in Pennsylvania, following Philadelphia County. The county seat is Pittsburgh... |
57.2% | 368,912 | 42.1% | 271,925 | 0.7% | 4,632 |
| Armstrong Armstrong County, Pennsylvania Armstrong County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 68,941. It is located northeast of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County. Armstrong County was added to the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Statistical Area in 2003.The county seat is Kittanning... |
38.7% | 12,025 | 60.9% | 18,925 | 0.5% | 147 |
| Beaver Beaver County, Pennsylvania -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 181,412 people, 72,576 households, and 50,512 families residing in the county. The population density was 418 people per square mile . There were 77,765 housing units at an average density of 179 per square mile... |
51.1% | 42,146 | 48.4% | 39,916 | 0.6% | 481 |
| Bedford Bedford County, Pennsylvania Bedford County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 49,762. The county seat is Bedford. It is part of the Altoona, Pennsylvania, Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :... |
26.5% | 6,016 | 73.2% | 16,606 | 0.3% | 57 |
| Berks Berks County, Pennsylvania -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 373,638 people, 141,570 households, and 98,532 families residing in the county. The population density was 435 people per square mile . There were 150,222 housing units at an average density of 175 per square mile... |
46.4% | 76,309 | 53.0% | 87,122 | 0.6% | 1,056 |
| Blair Blair County, Pennsylvania -Significant Topographic Features:*Brush Mountain*Logan Valley*Morrison Cove*Tussey Mountain-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 129,144 people, 51,518 households, and 34,877 families residing in the county. The population density was 246 people per square mile . There were 55,061... |
33.4% | 18,105 | 66.0% | 35,751 | 0.6% | 322 |
| Bradford Bradford County, Pennsylvania -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 62,761 people, 24,453 households, and 17,312 families residing in the county. The population density was 54 people per square mile . There were 28,664 housing units at an average density of 25 per square mile... |
33.5% | 8,590 | 66.0% | 16,942 | 0.5% | 120 |
| Bucks Bucks County, Pennsylvania - Industry and commerce :The boroughs of Bristol and Morrisville were prominent industrial centers along the Northeast Corridor during World War II. Suburban development accelerated in Lower Bucks in the 1950s with the opening of Levittown, Pennsylvania, the second such "Levittown" designed by... |
51.1% | 163,438 | 48.3% | 154,469 | 0.6% | 1,909 |
| Butler Butler County, Pennsylvania -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 174,083 people, 65,862 households, and 46,827 families residing in the county. The population density was 221 people per square mile . There were 69,868 housing units at an average density of 89 per square mile... |
35.2% | 30,090 | 64.3% | 54,959 | 0.4% | 376 |
| Cambria Cambria County, Pennsylvania Cambria County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It comprises the Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010, the population was 143,679.... |
48.7% | 32,591 | 50.8% | 34,048 | 0.5% | 344 |
| Cameron Cameron County, Pennsylvania As of the census of 2000, there were 5,974 people, 2,465 households, and 1,624 families residing in the county. The population density was 15 people per square mile . There were 4,592 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile... |
33.0% | 794 | 66.5% | 1,599 | 0.5% | 13 |
| Carbon Carbon County, Pennsylvania As of the census of 2000, there were 58,802 people, 23,701 households, and 16,424 families residing in the county. The population density was 154 people per square mile . There were 30,492 housing units at an average density of 80 per square mile... |
48.8% | 12,223 | 50.0% | 12,519 | 1.2% | 301 |
| Centre Centre County, Pennsylvania Centre County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It is part of the State College, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010, the population was 153,990.... |
47.8% | 30,733 | 51.6% | 33,133 | 0.6% | 387 |
| Chester Chester County, Pennsylvania -State parks:*French Creek State Park*Marsh Creek State Park*White Clay Creek Preserve-Demographics:As of the 2010 census, the county was 85.5% White, 6.1% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American or Alaskan Native, 3.9% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian, 1.8% were two or more races, and 2.4% were... |
47.5% | 109,708 | 52.0% | 120,036 | 0.5% | 1,079 |
| Clarion Clarion County, Pennsylvania As of the census of 2000, there were 41,765 people, 16,052 households, and 10,738 families residing in the county. The population density was 69 people per square mile . There were 19,426 housing units at an average density of 32 per square mile... |
35.2% | 6,049 | 64.4% | 11,063 | 0.4% | 72 |
| Clearfield Clearfield County, Pennsylvania Clearfield County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 81,642.Clearfield County was created on March 26, 1804, from parts of Huntingdon and Lycoming Counties but was administered as part of Centre County until 1812... |
39.5% | 13,518 | 60.0% | 20,533 | 0.5% | 182 |
| Clinton Clinton County, Pennsylvania As of the census of 2000, there were 37,914 people, 14,773 households, and 9,927 families residing in the county. The population density was 43 people per square mile . There were 18,166 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile... |
41.7% | 5,823 | 57.5% | 8,035 | 0.8% | 109 |
| Columbia Columbia County, Pennsylvania As of the census of 2000, there were 64,151 people, 24,915 households, and 16,568 families residing in the county. The population density was 132 people per square mile . There were 27,733 housing units at an average density of 57 per square mile... |
39.7% | 10,679 | 59.7% | 16,052 | 0.5% | 138 |
| Crawford Crawford County, Pennsylvania Crawford County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 88,765.Crawford County was created on March 12, 1800, from part of Allegheny County and named for Colonel William Crawford... |
41.8% | 16,013 | 57.3% | 21,965 | 0.9% | 344 |
| Cumberland Cumberland County, Pennsylvania Cumberland County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and is one of three counties comprising the Harrisburg–Carlisle Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010, the population was 235,406.-History:... |
35.8% | 37,928 | 63.8% | 67,648 | 0.5% | 506 |
| Dauphin Dauphin County, Pennsylvania Dauphin County is a county in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and is one of the three counties comprising the Harrisburg–Carlisle Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010 census, the population was 268,100. The county includes the city of Harrisburg, which has served as the state capital... |
45.6% | 55,299 | 53.9% | 65,296 | 0.5% | 613 |
| Delaware Delaware County, Pennsylvania Delaware County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 558,979, making it Pennsylvania's fifth most populous county, behind Philadelphia, Allegheny, Montgomery, and Bucks counties.... |
57.1% | 162,601 | 42.3% | 120,425 | 0.5% | 1,512 |
| Elk Elk County, Pennsylvania Elk County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 31,946.Elk County was created on April 18, 1843, from parts of Jefferson, Clearfield and McKean Counties, and is named for the Eastern elk that historically inhabited the region. Its county... |
45.4% | 6,602 | 54.1% | 7,872 | 0.5% | 76 |
| Erie Erie County, Pennsylvania Erie County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 280,566. Its county seat is the City of Erie.- Geography :... |
53.9% | 67,921 | 45.6% | 57,372 | 0.5% | 605 |
| Fayette Fayette County, Pennsylvania Fayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the2010 census, the population was 136,606. The county is part of the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Statistical Area.... |
53.2% | 29,120 | 45.8% | 25,045 | 1.0% | 542 |
| Forest Forest County, Pennsylvania Forest County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population is 7,716. Forest County is famous as a rural retreat. Nearly 75% of all dwellings in the county are second or vacation homes . Forest County does not have a single traffic light, the only county in the... |
38.4% | 989 | 61.1% | 1,571 | 0.5% | 13 |
| Franklin Franklin County, Pennsylvania As of the census of 2000, there were 129,313 people, 50,633 households, and 36,405 families residing in the county. The population density was 168 people per square mile . There were 53,803 housing units at an average density of 70 per square mile... |
28.3% | 16,562 | 71.4% | 41,817 | 0.3% | 190 |
| Fulton Fulton County, Pennsylvania Fulton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 14,845.Fulton County was created on April 19, 1850, from part of Bedford County and named for inventor Robert Fulton.Its county seat is McConnellsburg.... |
23.5% | 1,475 | 76.1% | 4,772 | 0.4% | 24 |
| Greene Greene County, Pennsylvania -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 40,672 people, 15,060 households, and 10,587 families residing in the county. The population density was 71 people per square mile . There were 16,678 housing units at an average density of 29 per square mile... |
49.3% | 7,674 | 50.0% | 7,786 | 0.7% | 105 |
| Huntingdon Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania Huntingdon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. In 2010, its population was 45,913.Huntingdon County was created on September 20, 1787, from part of Bedford County. Its county seat is Huntingdon.-Geography:According to the U.S... |
32.6% | 5,879 | 67.2% | 12,126 | 0.3% | 53 |
| Indiana Indiana County, Pennsylvania -Government and politics:As of November 2008, there are 58,077 registered voters in Indiana County .* Democratic: 26,653 * Republican: 24,159 * Other Parties: 7,265 -County commissioners:*Rodney Ruddock, Chairman, Republican... |
43.7% | 15,831 | 55.9% | 20,254 | 0.4% | 163 |
| Jefferson Jefferson County, Pennsylvania Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. In 2010, its population was 45,200. It was established on March 26, 1804, from part of Lycoming County and named for then-President Thomas Jefferson. Its county seat is Brookville... |
31.0% | 6,073 | 68.4% | 13,371 | 0.6% | 116 |
| Juniata Juniata County, Pennsylvania Juniata County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 24,636. Juniata County was created on March 2, 1831, from part of Mifflin County and named for the Juniata River. Its county seat is Mifflintown.... |
28.0% | 2,797 | 71.4% | 7,144 | 0.6% | 65 |
| Lackawanna Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania As of the census of 2000, there were 213,295 people, 86,218 households, and 55,783 families residing in the county. The population density was 465 people per square mile . There were 95,362 housing units at an average density of 208 per square mile... |
56.3% | 59,573 | 42.3% | 44,766 | 1.4% | 1,480 |
| Lancaster Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Lancaster County, known as the Garden Spot of America or Pennsylvania Dutch Country, is a county located in the southeastern part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of 2010 the population was 519,445. Lancaster County forms the Lancaster Metropolitan Statistical Area, the... |
33.6% | 74,328 | 65.8% | 145,591 | 0.6% | 1,359 |
| Lawrence Lawrence County, Pennsylvania Lawrence County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. In 2010, its population was 91,108. The county was added to the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Statistical Area in 2003. The county seat is New Castle.... |
49.2% | 21,387 | 50.5% | 21,938 | 0.3% | 117 |
| Lebanon Lebanon County, Pennsylvania As of the census of 2000, there were 120,327 people and 32,771 families residing in the county. The population density was 332 people per square mile . There were 49,320 housing units at an average density of 136 per square mile... |
32.5% | 18,109 | 66.6% | 37,089 | 0.8% | 467 |
| Lehigh Lehigh County, Pennsylvania -Climate:Most of the county's climate is considered to fall in the humid continental climate zone. Summers are typically hot and muggy, fall and spring are generally mild, and winter is cold. Precipitation is almost uniformly distributed throughout the year.... |
51.0% | 73,940 | 48.4% | 70,160 | 0.7% | 991 |
| Luzerne Luzerne County, Pennsylvania - Demographics :As of the 2010 census, the county was 90.7% White, 3.4% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 3.3% were of some other race, and 1.5% were two or more races. 6.7% of the population was of Hispanic or Latino ancestry... |
51.1% | 69,573 | 47.7% | 64,953 | 1.1% | 1,502 |
| Lycoming Lycoming County, Pennsylvania -Appalachian Mountains and Allegheny Plateau:Lycoming County is divided between the Appalachian Mountains in the south, the dissected Allegheny Plateau in the north and east, and the valley of the West Branch Susquehanna River between these.-West Branch Susquehanna River:The West Branch of the... |
31.3% | 15,681 | 67.9% | 33,961 | 0.8% | 407 |
| McKean McKean County, Pennsylvania As of the census of 2000, there were 45,936 people, 18,024 households, and 12,094 families residing in the county. The population density was 47 people per square mile . There were 21,644 housing units at an average density of 22 per square mile... |
36.1% | 6,294 | 62.8% | 10,941 | 1.1% | 191 |
| Mercer Mercer County, Pennsylvania Mercer County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 116,638. Its county seat is Mercer; Sharon is its largest city.... |
48.2% | 24,831 | 51.0% | 26,311 | 0.8% | 422 |
| Mifflin Mifflin County, Pennsylvania Mifflin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 46,682. Its county seat is Lewistown. It is named after Thomas Mifflin, the first Governor of Pennsylvania.-Geography:... |
29.1% | 4,889 | 69.8% | 11,726 | 1.1% | 187 |
| Monroe Monroe County, Pennsylvania -National protected areas:* Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area * Middle Delaware National Scenic River -Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there are 176,567 people, 49,454 households, and 36,447 families residing in the county. The population density was 228 people per square mile... |
49.6% | 27,967 | 49.6% | 27,971 | 0.7% | 404 |
| Montgomery Montgomery County, Pennsylvania Montgomery County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, in the United States. As of 2010, the population was 799,874, making it the third most populous county in Pennsylvania . The county seat is Norristown.The county was created on September 10, 1784, out of land originally part... |
55.6% | 222,048 | 44.0% | 175,741 | 0.5% | 1,802 |
| Montour Montour County, Pennsylvania Montour County is located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. In 2010, the county's population was 18,267. Its county seat is Danville. It is named for Andrew Montour, a prominent métis interpreter who served with George Washington during the French and Indian War. The county is part of the... |
35.0% | 2,666 | 64.3% | 4,903 | 0.7% | 55 |
| Northampton Northampton County, Pennsylvania As of the 2010 census, the county was 86.3% White, 5.0% Black or African American, 0.2% Native American or Alaskan Native, 2.4% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian, 2.2% were two or more races, and 3.8% were some other race. 10.5% of the population were of Hispanic or Latino ancestry.As of the census of... |
50.1% | 63,446 | 49.0% | 62,102 | 0.9% | 1,192 |
| Northumberland Northumberland County, Pennsylvania There were 38,835 households out of which 27.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.40% were married couples living together, 9.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.10% were non-families. 30.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.50% had... |
39.3% | 14,602 | 60.0% | 22,262 | 0.7% | 270 |
| Perry Perry County, Pennsylvania As of the census of 2000, there were 43,602 people, 16,695 households, and 12,320 families residing in the county. The population density was 79 people per square mile . There were 18,941 housing units at an average density of 34 per square mile... |
27.9% | 5,423 | 71.6% | 13,919 | 0.4% | 85 |
| Philadelphia Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania -History:Tribes of Lenape were the first known occupants in the area which became Philadelphia County. The first European settlers were Swedes and Finns who arrived in 1638. The Netherlands seized the area in 1655, but permanently lost control to England in 1674... |
80.4% | 542,205 | 19.3% | 130,099 | 0.3% | 1,765 |
| Pike Pike County, Pennsylvania -National protected areas:* Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area * Middle Delaware National Scenic River * Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River -Demographics:... |
40.6% | 8,656 | 58.4% | 12,444 | 0.9% | 199 |
| Potter Potter County, Pennsylvania Potter County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It is in the Allegheny Plateau region. As of 2010, the population was 17,457. Its county seat is Coudersport. Potter County was named after James Potter, who was a general from Pennsylvania in the Continental Army during the... |
28.5% | 2,268 | 70.8% | 5,640 | 0.7% | 54 |
| Schuylkill Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania -Notable people:*Boxing heavyweight great Muhammad Ali had his training camp in Deer Lake.*Charles Justin Bailey, commanding general of the 81st Division in World War I, was born in Tamaqua on June 21, 1859.... |
44.8% | 29,231 | 54.6% | 35,640 | 0.6% | 398 |
| Snyder Snyder County, Pennsylvania Snyder County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 39,702. Snyder County was formed in 1855 from parts of Union County... |
29.0% | 4,348 | 70.5% | 10,566 | 0.5% | 69 |
| Somerset Somerset County, Pennsylvania Somerset County is a county located in the state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 77,742. Somerset County was created on April 17, 1795, from part of Bedford County and named for Somerset, United Kingdom. Its county seat is Somerset. It is part of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania,... |
34.9% | 12,842 | 64.7% | 23,802 | 0.4% | 134 |
| Sullivan Sullivan County, Pennsylvania Sullivan County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population is 6,428. Sullivan County was created on March 15, 1847, from part of Lycoming County and named for Charles Sullivan, leader of the Pennsylvania Senate... |
36.9% | 1,213 | 62.6% | 2,056 | 0.5% | 16 |
| Susquehanna Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 42,238 people, 16,529 households, and 11,785 families residing in the county. The population density was 51 people per square mile . There were 21,829 housing units at an average density of 26 per square mile... |
38.6% | 7,351 | 60.8% | 11,573 | 0.6% | 116 |
| Tioga Tioga County, Pennsylvania Tioga County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 41,981. Tioga County was created on March 26, 1804, from part of Lycoming County and named for the Tioga River. Its county seat is Wellsboro.... |
30.9% | 5,437 | 68.4% | 12,019 | 0.7% | 115 |
| Union Union County, Pennsylvania -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 41,624 people, 13,178 households, and 9,211 families residing in the county. The population density was 131 people per square mile . There were 14,684 housing units at an average density of 46 per square mile... |
35.4% | 5,700 | 64.1% | 10,334 | 0.6% | 89 |
| Venango Venango County, Pennsylvania Venango County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 54,984. Its county seat is Franklin.-History:Venango County was created on March 12, 1800 from parts of Allegheny and Lycoming Counties... |
38.1% | 9,024 | 61.2% | 14,472 | 0.7% | 163 |
| Warren Warren County, Pennsylvania Warren County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 41,815. It was formed in 1800 from parts of Allegheny and Lycoming counties; attached to Crawford County until 1805 and then to Venango County until Warren was formally organized in 1819. Its county... |
41.7% | 8,044 | 57.1% | 10,999 | 1.2% | 230 |
| Washington Washington County, Pennsylvania -Government and politics:As of November 2008, there are 152,534 registered voters in Washington County .* Democratic: 89,027 * Republican: 49,025 * Other Parties: 14,482... |
50.1% | 48,225 | 49.6% | 47,673 | 0.3% | 279 |
| Wayne Wayne County, Pennsylvania As of the census of 2000, there were 47,722 people, 18,350 households, and 12,936 families residing in the county. The population density was 65 people per square mile . There were 30,593 housing units at an average density of 42 per square mile... |
36.7% | 8,060 | 62.4% | 13,713 | 0.9% | 194 |
| Westmoreland Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 369,993 people, 149,813 households, and 104,569 families residing in the county. The population density was 361 people per square mile . There were 161,058 housing units at an average density of 157 per square mile... |
43.5% | 77,774 | 56.0% | 100,087 | 0.5% | 835 |
| Wyoming Wyoming County, Pennsylvania Wyoming County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It was created in 1842 from part of Luzerne County. Its county seat is Tunkhannock.-Geography:According to the U.S... |
38.8% | 4,982 | 60.6% | 7,782 | 0.5% | 68 |
| York York County, Pennsylvania York County is a county in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of 2010, the population was 434,972. It is in the Susquehanna Valley, a large fertile agricultural region in South Central Pennsylvania.... |
35.5% | 63,701 | 63.7% | 114,270 | 0.7% | 1,298 |
By congressional district
Kerry won 10 of 19 congressional districts.| District | Bush | Kerry | Representative |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15% | 84% | Bob Brady Bob Brady Robert A. "Bob" Brady is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1998, and the ranking Democrat on the United States House Committee on House Administration since 2007... |
|
| 12% | 87% | Chaka Fattah Chaka Fattah Chaka Fattah is the U.S. representative for , serving since 1995. He is a member of the Democratic Party... |
|
| 53% | 47% | Phil English Phil English Philip Sheridan "Phil" English served as a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from 1995 - 2009 from the U.S. state of Pennsylvania, representing the state's 3rd Congressional district.... |
|
| 54% | 45% | Melissa Hart | |
| 61% | 39% | John E. Peterson John E. Peterson John E. Peterson is a Republican politician from the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. From 1997 - 2009, he represented the state's mainly rural and largely Republican 5th Congressional district in the U.S. House.-Biography:... |
|
| 48% | 52% | Jim Gerlach Jim Gerlach James "Jim" Gerlach is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2003. He is a member of the Republican Party.- Early life, education and career :... |
|
| 47% | 53% | Curt Weldon Curt Weldon Wayne Curtis "Curt" Weldon is an American politician. He served as a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives from 1987 to 2007, representing the 7th district of Pennsylvania. He was defeated in November 2006 for reelection by Joe Sestak. Weldon was vice-chair of the Armed... |
|
| 48% | 51% | James C. Greenwood James C. Greenwood James Charles "Jim" Greenwood is an American politician in the Republican Party. He represented Pennsylvania's Eighth Congressional District for six terms in the United States House of Representatives.... |
|
| Mike Fitzpatrick Mike Fitzpatrick Michael G. "Mike" Fitzpatrick is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Republican Party. He was reelected to Congress in 2010, and previously represented the district from 2005 to 2007, but lost to Patrick Murphy in 2006.... |
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| 67% | 33% | Bill Shuster Bill Shuster William Shuster is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2001. He is a member of the Republican Party. He is a son of former Congressman Bud Shuster.-Early life, education and career:... |
|
| 60% | 40% | Don Sherwood Don Sherwood Donald L. "Don" Sherwood is an American politician. He served as a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Pennsylvania's 10th congressional district, from 1999 to 2007... |
|
| 47% | 53% | Paul E. Kanjorski Paul E. Kanjorski Paul E. Kanjorski is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 1985 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party.The district includes the cities of Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and Hazleton, as well as most of the Poconos.... |
|
| 49% | 51% | John Murtha John Murtha John Patrick "Jack" Murtha, Jr. was an American politician from the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. Murtha, a Democrat, represented Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 1974 until his death in 2010.... |
|
| 43% | 56% | Joe Hoeffel Joe Hoeffel Joseph Merrill "Joe" Hoeffel III is an American politician. A Democrat, he is currently a member of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, having previously served from 1992 to 1998.... |
|
| Allyson Schwartz Allyson Schwartz Allyson Young Schwartz is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2005. She is a member of the Democratic Party. The district includes parts of Montgomery County and Northeast Philadelphia... |
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| 30% | 69% | Michael F. Doyle Michael F. Doyle Michael F. "Mike" Doyle is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1995. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district is based in Pittsburgh and includes most of Allegheny County.... |
|
| 50% | 50% | Pat Toomey Pat Toomey Patrick Joseph "Pat" Toomey, Sr. is the junior United States Senator for Pennsylvania and a member of the Republican Party. Previously, Toomey served as a U.S. Representative for three terms, but did not seek a fourth in compliance with a pledge he had made while running for office in 1998... |
|
| Charlie Dent Charlie Dent Charles "Charlie" Dent is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2005. He is a member of the Republican Party.The district includes all of Northampton County, most of Lehigh County, and small parts of Berks and Montgomery Counties.... |
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| 61% | 38% | Joe Pitts | |
| 58% | 42% | Tim Holden Tim Holden Thomas Timothy "Tim" Holden is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1993. He is a member of the Democratic Party.-Early life, education and career:... |
|
| 54% | 46% | Tim Murphy Tim Murphy (congressman) Timothy "Tim" F. Murphy is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2003. He is a member of the Republican Party. He previously served in the Pennsylvania Senate.... |
|
| 64% | 36% | Todd Platts Todd Russell Platts Todd Russell Platts is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2001. He is a member of the Republican Party.The district is located in south-central Pennsylvania, encompassing all of York and Adams Counties, and a large portion of Cumberland County... |
Electors
Technically the voters of Pa. cast their ballots for electors: representatives to the Electoral College. Pa. is allocated 21 electors because it has 19 congressional districts and 2 senators. All candidates who appear on the ballot or qualify to receive write-in votes must submit a list of 21 electors, who pledge to vote for their candidate and his or her running mate. Whoever wins the majority of votes in the state is awarded all 21 electoral votes. Their chosen electors then vote for President and Vice President. Although electors are pledged to their candidate and running mate, they are not obligated to vote for them. An elector who votes for someone other than his or her candidate is known as a faithless electorFaithless elector
In United States presidential elections, a faithless elector is a member of the Electoral College who does not vote for the candidate they have pledged to vote for...
.
The electors of each state and the District of Columbia met on December 13, 2004 to cast their votes for President and Vice President. The Electoral College itself never meets as one body. Instead the electors from each state and the District of Columbia met in their respective capitols.
The following were the members of the Electoral College from the state. All 21 were pledged for Kerry/Edwards.
- Lynne AbrahamLynne AbrahamLynne Abraham served as the District Attorney of the City of Philadelphia from May 1991 to January 2010. She was the first woman to serve as Philadelphia's District Attorney. Abraham won election to that position four times. As District Attorney, she oversaw the largest district attorney's office...
- Richard Bloomingdale
- Blondell Reynolds Brown
- Robert Casey Jr.
- Eileen Connelly
- H. William DeWeeseH. William DeWeeseH. William "Bill" DeWeese, is a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and has served as 135th Speaker of the Pennsylvania House in 1993-1994...
- John Dougherty
- Richard E. Filippi
- William George
- Renee Gillinger
- Jennifer MannJennifer MannJennifer L. Mann is the current Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 132nd District and was elected in 1998.- Personal history :...
- Robert J. MellowRobert J. MellowRobert J. "Bob" Mellow is a Democratic politician and former member of the Pennsylvania State Senate, who represented the 22nd District from 1971 to 2010. He also served as the Minority Floor Leader and President pro tempore.- Personal :...
- Dan Onorato
- Juan Ramos
- Stephen R. ReedStephen R. ReedStephen Russell Reed is the former and longest-serving mayor of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He moved to Harrisburg with his parents as a boy.- Biography :...
- T.J. Rooney
- Jonathan Saidel
- John F. StreetJohn F. StreetJohn Franklin Street was the 97th Mayor of the City of Philadelphia. He was first elected to a term beginning on January 3, 2000, and was re-elected to a second term beginning in 2004...
- Rosemary Trump
- Sala Udin
- Constance H. WilliamsConstance H. WilliamsConstance H. "Connie" Williams is a Democratic politician and former member of the Pennsylvania State Senate, who represented the 17th District from 2001 to 2009.-Biography:...