Politics of Pennsylvania
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Pennsylvania, like neighboring New Jersey, has swung from being a Republican-leaning state during much of the 20th century to a more competitive state in national presidential elections. Pennsylvania has backed the Democratic Presidential candidate in every election since 1992.
Philadelphia is the Democratic stronghold of the state, often delivering huge margins for the Democrats in state-wide elections. Other urban areas, such as Pittsburgh, lean Democratic as well. Like most states, Pennsylvania's rural areas tend to be more conservative and support Republicans. Pennsylvania has extensive rural areas, thus Republican support is significant. Also, suburban areas in Pennsylvania tend to lean Republican, but can vote either way in any given year, and represent the swing vote in the state.
On the state level, Pennsylvania has been a traditionally liberal Republican state, with a dominant Republican party that is much more oriented towards social spending than more conservative Republican parties in other regions of the United States. However, the recent Democratic trend in Pennsylvania has affected state politics, and the Democrats have now controlled the governor's mansion for two terms under Governor Ed Rendell.
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