On November 2, 2010, Pennsylvania held elections for one Senate seat, nineteen U.S. House of Representatives spots, and for the governor of Pennsylvania. In the governor's race, there will be a party change with Republican Tom Corbett beating Democrat Dan Onorato.http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2010/results/state/#val=PA

In the U.S. Senate race, Pat Toomey (R) beat Joe Sestak (D). In the House races, 12 Republicans won seats, and Democrats won 7. In all, Republicans gained control over the governor's seat, the Senate seat, and gained five House seats overall. Prior to this election, Pennsylvania had primarily been a Democratic state. According to a New York Times story, the switch to Republican leadership may have occurred due to anxiety about the economy, the health care overhaul and joblessness.http://elections.nytimes.com/2010/results/pennsylvania

The state of Pennsylvania joined the Union on December 12, 1787 as the 2nd state to be recognized. They are typically a Democratic political leaning state. The state has participated in all 56 presidential elections. Even though they have voted for the Democratic candidate in the last 5 elections, they are still considered a swing state. http://www.270towin.com/states/Pennsylvania

The elected governor is awarded a four-year term and may be re-elected for one additional term. The state legislature, designated the general assembly, consists of a senate of 50 members and a house of representatives of 203 members. Pennsylvania sends 2 senators and has 21 representatives in the U.S. Congress. They currently have 23 electoral votes, subject to change after the completion of the 2010 census.

There were Important men that emerged as leaders of the Revolutionary movement such as Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin Rush, Joseph Reed and Thomas Mifflin. In 1776 a provincial convention dominated by radical patriots created the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania under one of the most democratic of the new state constitutions.http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/us/A0860294.html

Pennsylvania was the site of the 1787 Constitutional Convention and served as the seat of the new federal government from 1790 to 1800. The Declaration of Independence was also signed in Pennsylvania.

In political life the Democratic party was generally dominant, and in 1857 the Pennsylvania vote gave the nation a Democratic president in James Buchanan. Later, a split within the party over its opposition to slavery and the desire for a high protective tariff to protect the state's growing industries led to a Republican victory in 1860 and began Pennsylvania's long affiliation with the Republican party.

With Pennsylvania located near the South, it became the scene for several battles in the Civil War, most memorably the Gettysburg campaign of 1863.

Primary Elections for Statewide offices and Congress are held on May 18, 2010, while the General Elections will be held on November 02, 2010. http://www.evoter.com/2010-national-election-calendar-by-state-evoter#Pennsylvania

Key Primary Election results:

• Us Senator - SESTAK, JOE[ (DEM) 568,547 votes 53.9%,[ SPECTER, ARLEN]] (DEM) 487,193 votes 46.2% - LUKSIK, PEG (REP) 153,135 votes 17.9%, TOOMEY, PAT (REP), 701,543 votes 82.1%

Full Primary Elections

• Election Returns State of Pennsylvaniahttp://www.electionreturns.state.pa.us/

Key General Election Results: will be available after November 02, 2010

Full General Elections Results will be available after November 02, 2010

Number of Electoral Votes for President of the United States: 21

• Presidential electoral winner: Barack Obama - Democratic Party pct of vote: 55%
• Presidential electoral loser  : John McCain - Republican Party pct of vote: 44%

• Election Result News
• MSNBC: Pennsylvania Election Results
• FoxNews.com: Pennsylvania Election Results
• CNN.com: Pennsylvania Election Results

{{:Pennsylvania Exit Polls}}

• Winner of Pennsylvania Senate Seat: Bob Casey, Jr.
• Margin of victory: 59% to 41%

• Winner of Pennsylvania Gubernatorial Election: Governor Ed Rendell
• Margin of victory: 60% to 40%

• CNN: 2006 Pennsylvania Election Results

• 2004 Presidential Election Winner: George W. Bush

• Winner of Pennsylvania's Twenty-One Electoral Votes: Senator John Kerry
• Margin of victory: 51% to 49%

• Winner of Pennsylvania Senate Seat: Senator Arlen Specter
• Margin of victory: 53% to 42%
• CNN: 2004 Pennsylvania Election Results

• The Evening Sun: Pennsylvania a Keystone to Obama Victory (November 5, 2008)

• The Philadelphia Inquirer: PA Voters Approve Water Bond (November 5, 2008)

• Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Wagner Wins Second Term as Auditor General (November 5, 2008)

• Philly.com: Corbett Appears to Retain Attorney General Post (November 5, 2008)

• The Bulletin: Row Offers Races Few Surprises (November 5, 2008)

• TheHill.com: Murtha Wins Reelection Despite Controversial Remarks (November 4, 2008)

• Philly.com: Brady, Fattah, Doyle Win Re-Election to US House (November 4, 2008)

• MTV: Keep An Eye On Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania, Virginia (November 4, 2008)

• Market Watch: Governor Rendell: Prepare for Election Day, Know Your Rights (November 3, 2008)

• WBNG.com: Pennsylvania Election Preparations (November 3, 2008)

• The Wall Street Journal: Gap Narrows in Florida and Ohio, Not Pennsylvania (October 30, 2008)

• CBS News: McCain Forced To Gamble On Pennsylvania (October 30, 2008)

• Reuters: Biden Hopes for Phillies' Good Fortune in Election (October 30, 2008)

• USA Today: U.S. Judge Orders Backup Paper Ballots in Pa. (October 29, 2008)

• The Evening Sun: Palin, Biden in Pennsylvania on Thursday, Friday (October 29, 2008)