Holden, Gilhooley bid for congressional seat

Democratic Congressman Tim Holden and Republican challenger Toni Gilhooley waged a very civil debate Tuesday evening, a rarity in these days of highly charged partisan politics. In my opinion, both candidates are worthy of serving the residents of the 17th Congressional District, which includes Lower Paxton Twp. It's unlikely that the debate will sway voters one way or the other.

The biggest black mark against Holden is that he has been in office since 1993. Holden said his tenure and committee assignments put him in a position to secure federal dollars for local projects. In the not too distant past, Holden had a hand in securing federal highway money for the planned Linglestown improvement project.

Gilhooley, who is making her first run for a public office, made her case for cutting federal spending and taxes, and called for reform of earmarking, the system that lawmakers use to divvy up tax dollars for local projects. If elected, she plans to regularly conduct town meetings with residents. She is a resident of Lower Paxton Twp.

The Patriot-News and The Paxton Herald have endorsed Holden.
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Debate media coverage:

* The Patriot-News didn't send a reporter to the debate that took place somewhere in northeastern PA.

* According to the Pottsville Republican & Herald, the economy was the focus of the candidates' sole faceoff.

* Lebanon Daily News says Gilhooley spent much of the evening attacking Holden’s policies.
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WITF video: Gilhooley (QuickTime file)

Holden did not provide a video to WITF