1990 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Bob Casey, incumbent Governor since 1987
• Philip J. Berg, attorney and perennial candidate from Montgomery County

Incumbent Bob Casey was challenged by Philip J. Berg, an attorney and perennial candidate from Montgomery County.

Results

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Republican primary

Candidates

• Barbara Hafer, Auditor General and candidate for Lieutenant Governor
• Peg Luksik, anti-abortion activist

Endorsed Republican candidate Barbara Hafer, Auditor General and former candidate for Lt. Governor, won a surprisingly close race over Peg Luksik, an outspoken opponent of abortion.

Results

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General Election

Candidates

• Bob Casey, incumbent Governor (Democratic)
  • running mate: Mark Singel, incumbent Lieutenant Governor
• Barbara Hafer, Pennsylvania Auditor General (Republican)
  • running mate: Harold Mowery, State Representative

Campaign

Casey had maintained enormous popularity in the state, was considered to have a generally positive record from his first term as governor, and was endorsed by major newspapers statewide, including The Philadelphia Inquirer. In addition, Casey had the traditionally strong backing of urban voters and organized labor, and performed well in many heavily Republican, rural counties, as he was seen as a relatively conservative populist.

The campaign briefly turned ugly when Hafer, a pro-choice Republican who had attempted to position herself as the more liberal candidate, referred to Casey as a "redneck Irishman." Her comment, which was widely reported, helped to alienate both rural voters and those of Irish descent. Unable to gain a funding foothold or to carve out a strong public image, and trailing in the polls by forty percent on election day, Hafer was subsequently defeated by Casey by a large margin.

Results

Results by county

Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic

• Adams
• Bedford
• Berks
• Blair
• Bradford
• Bucks
• Butler
• Cameron
• Centre
• Chester
• Clarion
• Crawford
• Cumberland
• Dauphin
• Delaware
• Forest
• Franklin
• Fulton
• Huntingdon
• Erie
• Jefferson
• Juniata
• Lancaster
• Lebanon
• Lehigh
• Lycoming
• McKean
• Mifflin
• Monroe
• Perry
• Pike
• Potter
• Snyder
• Sullivan
• Susquehanna
• Tioga
• Venango
• Warren
• Union
• Wayne
• Wyoming
• York}}

Notes

References

References

1. Kennedy, John J.. (2006). "Pennsylvania Elections: Statewide Contests From 1950-2004". University Press of America.
2. "Our Campaigns - PA Governor - D Primary Race - May 15, 1990".
3. "Our Campaigns - PA Governor- R Primary Race - May 15, 1990".
4. Singleton, David. "[https://www.newspapers.com/image/533837116/ Gubernatorial candidates now await decision of voters: Casey winds up campaign in home region]." Scranton, Pennsylvania: ''The Tribune'', November 6, 1990, p. 3 (subscription required).
5. "[https://www.newspapers.com/image/176391410/?terms=%22Bob%20Casey%22&match=1 Editorials: Endorsements]." Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: ''The Philadelphia Inquirer'', November 6, 1990, p. 10 (subscription required).
6. Bradley-Steck, Tara. "[https://www.newspapers.com/image/533837116/ Gubernatorial candidates now await decision of voters: Underdog Hafer remains optimistic]." Scranton, Pennsylvania: ''The Tribune'', November 6, 1990, p. 3 (subscription required).
7. ''The Pennsylvania Manual'', p. 671.
8. ''The Pennsylvania Manual'', p. 633.
9. "Pennsylvania Gubernatorial Election Returns 1990". Wilkes University Election Statistics Project.