Wednesday remainders
Sorry about the lack of posts this afternoon. You may have heard a guy from around Pittsburgh placed second in the Iowa caucuses last night (not to mention third). If not you'll get lots of reminders in tomorrow's paper.
But before we forget:
Cook Political Report's latest post-redistricting House race ratings are out. In Western Pa, the combined Altmire-Critz PA12 is rated a tossup (meaning either party could win) and Mike Kelly's PA3 is judged to stay "likely Republican." There's no mention of PA18, but as of right now that's only a Republican contest between incumbent Tim Murphy and challenger Evan Feinberg.
Speaking of redistricting, the official state website now allows you to compare the new district lines against the former 2001 ones. (h/t PoliticsPa)
Democrat Jason Altmire has named his campaign manager for his primary fight against fellow Dem Mark Critz -- it's Angela Ruslander, a Hill staffer and campaigner in races in Iowa and New Hampshire. Full statement from the Altmire team after the jump:
Ross Township, PA: The campaign of U.S. Congressman Jason Altmire (D-PA) today announced the addition of Angela Ruslander as Campaign Manager.
An experienced manager, fundraiser, and field organizer, Ruslander has held senior staff positions for campaigns and candidates at all levels, including nationally targeted congressional races in Iowa and New Hampshire. In addition, she has led successful grassroots organizing efforts for the SEIU in New York state and in the high-profile 2010 U.S. Senate race in Delaware.
Additionally, Ruslander served for more than three years as a senior staffer and advisor for U.S. Congressman Bruce Braley (D-IA) in Washington, D.C., and she was also a media planner in her hometown of Buffalo, NY for three years.
Ruslander will work out of Altmire's campaign headquarters in Ross Township, where she joins Abigail Silverman, a veteran of Altmire's 2010 campaign, currently serving as Altmire's fundraising assistant and director of new media. Rachael Heisler, now based in Washington, D.C., managed Altmire's successful 2010 campaign and continues as his political advisor and Finance Director. Heisler has been with the Altmire campaign since 2007 and has helped Altmire become one of Congress's most consistently prodigious fundraisers.
"I am confident that we have put together a team of highly-skilled and experienced campaign professionals unmatched anywhere in the country," said Altmire. "Angela's well-rounded experience is perfectly suited to the unique nature of the 2012 election in the newly-drawn 12th Congressional District. Given the intense competition for top campaign talent, I am pleased that Angela has chosen to lead my re-election effort," Altmire continued.