Sen. Specter, Arlen (R) PA
Aggregate Rating 41.78%
59%
45%
21%
Arlen J. Specter is the senior United States Senator from Pennsylvania.

Because of his liberal voting record, Specter is often dubbed a "Republican In Name Only" (RINO).

In 2004, Specter faced a challenge in the Republican primary election from conservative Congressman Pat Toomey. Toomey ran on the principle that Specter was too much of a liberal and big spender to represent the Republican Party. The match-up was closely watched nationally, being seen as a symbolic clash between the conservative and liberal wings of the Republican Party. Ultimately, most of the state's Republican establishment, including the state's other senator at the time, Rick Santorum, closed ranks behind Specter. Specter was also strongly supported by President George W. Bush. At the time, polls showed that had Toomey was polling well behind the Democratic candidate, Congressman Joe Hoeffel. Ultimately, Specter narrowly won the primary, with 51 percent of the vote. In the general election, he faced Hoeffel, Betsy Summers of the Libertarian Party, and Constitution Party candidate James Clymer in November 2004's general election. He was easily reelected.

Offices held

Office
Party
State
District
Date
U.S. Senator
Republican
 
2004-2010

Elections

Office
State
District
Date
U.S. Senator
 
2004
 
Republican
2,925,080
 
Democrat
2,334,126
 
Conservative
220,056
 
Libertarian
79,263

U.S. Senator (Primary)
 
2004
 
Democrat
595,816
 
Republican
530,839
 
Republican
513,693

U.S. Senator
 
1998
 
Republican
1,814,180
 
Democrat
1,028,839
 
Other
68,377
 
Libertarian
46,103

U.S. Senator (Primary)
 
1998
 
Democrat
236,435
 
Democrat
121,669
 
Democrat
118,684
 
Republican
376,322
 
Republican
101,120
 
Republican
82,168


Interest Group Data

Interest Group
Year
Rating
Club For Growth
2007
13.00
Club For Growth
2006
40.00

National Right to Life Commitee
2006
0.00
National Right to Life Commitee
2004
64.00
National Right to Life Commitee
2002
0.00
National Right to Life Commitee
2000
22.00
National Right to Life Commitee
1998
29.00

Americans for Better Imigration
2006
16.00
Americans for Better Imigration
2005
5.00
Americans for Better Imigration
2004
15.00
Americans for Better Imigration
2003
16.00
Americans for Better Imigration
2002
25.00
Americans for Better Imigration
2001
25.00

Gun Owners of America
2008
28.00
Gun Owners of America
2006
100.00
Gun Owners of America
2005
0.00
Gun Owners of America
2004
40.00
Gun Owners of America
2003
43.00
Gun Owners of America
2002
43.00
Gun Owners of America
2000
43.00

National Rifle Association
2004
93.00

NARAL Inverse (100 minus rating)
2007
0.00
NARAL Inverse (100 minus rating)
2006
50.00
NARAL Inverse (100 minus rating)
2005
80.00
NARAL Inverse (100 minus rating)
2004
100.00
NARAL Inverse (100 minus rating)
2003
79.00
NARAL Inverse (100 minus rating)
2001
100.00
NARAL Inverse (100 minus rating)
2000
10.00

Citizens Against Government Waste
2006
57.00
Citizens Against Government Waste
2005
57.00
Citizens Against Government Waste
2004
43.00
Citizens Against Government Waste
2003
40.00
Citizens Against Government Waste
2002
44.00
Citizens Against Government Waste
2001
60.00
Citizens Against Government Waste
2000
65.00
Citizens Against Government Waste
1999
42.00
Citizens Against Government Waste
1998
39.00

Federation for American Immigration Reform
2005
0.00
Federation for American Immigration Reform
2004
0.00

Americans for Immigration Control
2006
16.00
Americans for Immigration Control
1998
0.00
Americans for Immigration Control
1996
30.00

U.S. Border Control
2006
16.00

Brady Campaign Inverse (100 minus rating)
2003
86.00
Brady Campaign Inverse (100 minus rating)
2002
86.00
Brady Campaign Inverse (100 minus rating)
1999
89.00

US English
2007
93.00

English First
2007
33.00

Google News

 

Times LIVE

Obama to Campaign for Sestak
FOXNews (blog)
The president had previously supported Sestak's primary opponent Republican-turned-Democrat Senator Arlen Specter (R-PA) who Sestak defeated in the May ...
The Presidential Rainmaker, Cont.New York Times (blog)
Obama to Campaign for SestakCBS News
Obama to stump for SestakAllentown Morning Call
The Hill (blog) -Delaware County Daily Times -CNN Political Ticker (blog)
all 136 news articles »

Hot Ads of the Week: "Real People" Come Out in Force
CBS News
And what's unique here is that the ad takes on Congressman Joe Sestak, who we all remember beat out Senator Arlen Specter for the Democratic nominee for ...

and more »

Senator sees economic benefits from gas drilling
Williamsport Sun-Gazette
Arlen Specter, D-Philadelphia, sees great economic potential for the local area from the Marcellus Shale and believes the gas industry can help ensure ...

and more »

Globe and Mail

Alaska Republicans eject incumbent senator
World Magazine
Robert Bennett, R-Utah, and Arlen Specter, D-Pa. Miller, 43, told The Associated Press by phone late Tuesday that he'll campaign this fall on transferring ...
Alaska Democrat's campaign for US Senate ramps upThe Associated Press
In Alaska, Sen. Murkowski concedes to 'tea party' candidate MillerLos Angeles Times
Break Out the Tea!Portfolio.com (blog)
Washington Post (blog) -Post Chronicle -The Cypress Times
all 1,883 news articles »
Last modified by Ragnar on Tue, August 5 2008