(Editor’s note: The Daily Herald continues its Top Ten countdown of the most important local news stories of 2004. The series will continue each day the newspaper is published until the Number One story, as chosen by the Herald staff.)
This year, Congressman Bill Shuster was able to hold off challenger Michael DelGrosso of Tipton in the race for the Ninth District in the U.S. Congress.
Shuster and DelGrosso were in a tight race throughout the election, and both candidates visited northern Blair County numerous times in campaigning efforts.
DelGrosso polled 1,043 votes in the three Antis Township districts compared to 280 for Shuster including a margin of 331 to 58 votes in the Antis Township district which includes DelGrosso’s home base of Tipton.
DelGrosso also defeated Shuster in Blair County by a margin of more than 4,000 votes. DelGrosso received nearly 12,600 votes compared to a little more than 8,500 for Shuster. In northern Blair County, DelGrosso defeated Shuster by more than 1,800 votes.
In the entire Ninth District, which includes all or parts of 15 counties, Shuster had tallied 42,967, or 51 percent of the vote, to DelGrosso’s 40,784, or 49 percent, with 100 percent of the 508 precincts in the district reporting.
After the returns were monitored, Shuster stepped forward at a podium set up at the Ramada Inn in Altoona to declare victory.
Prior to Shuster’s acceptance speech, an introduction by State Senator Robert Jubelirer touched on a close election he had been involved with and said Shuster’s battle with DelGrosso was a spirited campaign.
Jubelirer then introduced the congressman after cheers from the crowd, and the victorious Shuster stepped to the podium.
“There were about 80,000 people who voted in this primary election. We anticipated about 50,000, so the people wanted their voice heard,” said Shuster during his speech.
He then wished the DelGrosso family the best and said his challenger had put on a spirited campaign.
“Those 80,000 came out to vote and they’ve spoken and they’ve said they want to elect Bill Shuster to serve in the United States Congress,” said Shuster.
Shuster then noted the accomplishments of his first three years in office, which included cutting taxes, protecting the country from terrorism and bringing back tax dollars to his constituents in the district.
Shuster concluded his remarks by thanking several people including campaign aides and his family. Shuster also took time to thank his father, former Congressman Bud Shuster for his help.
During his concession speech, DelGrosso spent several moments thanking numerous supporters and family and became somewhat emotional during that part of his speech.
“We began this campaign to accomplish a mission to take us in a new direction,” said DelGrosso. “I think we went a long way in helping achieve that goal.”
He then pointed out his take on the possible political reality of Shuster serving in Congress for many years in the future.
“Mr. Shuster is probably going to be our congressman for the next 20 to 25 years,” said DelGrosso. “I think we both learned a lot from this campaign. I think Mr. Shuster has learned a good respect for the voters of this district. I think he understands better what we want and what we need for the future.”
