Candidates •
Bob Casey, former Auditor General (Democratic) • running mate:
Mark Singel, State Senator from
Johnstown • Heidi Hoover (Consumer) • running mate: John Brickhouse •
Bill Scranton III, Lieutenant Governor (Republican) • running mate:
Mike Fisher, State Senator from
Upper St. Clair Campaign Casey, a moderate with strong labor ties and
anti-abortion viewpoints informed by his
Catholicism, was often to the right of his Republican opponent on social issues; Scranton, whose father was a leading moderate, was pro-choice and attempted to connect with the fiscally conservative but socially progressive suburban voter. The race featured back-and-forth polling in the months preceding the election, with the public demonstrating generally positive views toward both figures, but growing weary of their negative campaigning that dominated the contest. Late in the campaign, then-unknown political consultant
James Carville commissioned what became known as "the guru ad" for Casey. Aired mainly in rural areas, the ad emphasized Scranton's wealthy family background, use of recreational drugs as a college student, and open practice of and advocacy for
transcendental meditation (with the image of the
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi accompanied by "Indian"-sounding music); as a result, Casey appeared as the more socially conservative and less corrupt candidate, which helped him to a strong performance for a Democrat in traditionally Republican areas of Central Pennsylvania.
Results ==Notes==