MEADVILLE, Pa. – Oct. 10, 2008 – Close congressional races don't come much tighter than the contest in Pennsylvania's 3rd District. “Roll Call” recently released polling data suggesting it's a dead heat, and Charley Cook, of the Cook Political Report, calls the race one of the few toss-ups in the nation.
But the contest's closeness is not nearly as interesting as how the candidates are pitching themselves, according to Daniel M. Shea, professor of political science and director of the Center for Political Participation at Allegheny College.
“That Representative English, who is running for his eighth term, would choose to cast himself as an agent of change against a Democrat, a mother of five who has never held an elected post, is nothing short of stunning,” said Shea. “Voters are anxious, really concerned about the future. It's made for a fast-moving, fascinating race.”
Shea co-moderated the first debate between Phil English and Kathy Dahlkemper, which was held at Allegheny College on Oct. 8.
“This race mirrors trends across the rest of the country,” noted Shea. “My guess is that, as our congressional race goes, so goes the nation.”
An expert on American electoral politics, Shea is a reliable resource for journalists and news organizations worldwide, including the Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, Gannett and McClatchy, as well as for specific publications including the New York Times, Washington Post, Philadelphia Inquirer, Post-Gazette, Roll Call, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Dallas Morning News, Campaigns & Elections and Salon.com.
Shea teaches courses in American politics, parties and elections, Congress, the presidency, research methods, politics of the media, and pop culture and politics, as well as seminars in civic engagement and the contemporary election process. His research interests include campaigns and elections, the dynamics of the party system, the changing nature of the presidency, scandal and the politics of the media, and grassroots political activism.
Shea is also the director of the Center for Political Participation at Allegheny, which he founded in 2002. The CPP is dedicated to fostering an appreciation for the vital link between an engaged, active citizenry and a healthy democracy. To that end, the CPP seeks new strategies and mechanisms for promoting political participation among all citizens, with a particular focus on young Americans.
Shea has a bachelor of arts in political science and American studies from the State University of New York at Oswego and a master of arts in campaign management and applied politics from the University of West Florida. He earned a Ph.D. in political science from the State University of New York at Albany.
Shea has written or edited 12 books. Some of his most notable works include Living Democracy (Pearson Education, 2007), Transforming Democracy (State University of New York Press, 1995), Campaign Craft (Praeger Books, 1999, 2003, 2006) and Campaign Mode (Rowman and Littlefield, 2004). He has edited three editions of The State of the Parties and published numerous scholarly chapters and articles, including works in the American Review of Politics, Campaigns and Elections and the Southeastern Political Review.
To arrange an interview with Professor Shea, please call the Center for Political Participation at (814) 332-6202 or the Allegheny College Office of Public Affairs at (814) 332-6755.
