Font ResizeDemocrats are targeting him this year in the swing district of rural communities and old industrial steel towns in the state's northwest corner.
His challenger, political newcomer Kathy Dahlkemper, 50, is a mother of five who has emphasized her experience as a small business owner in a landscaping design and construction business she owns with her husband. The district was struggling economically long before the Wall Street meltdown, and she says English is part of the problem.
The matchup is considered a competitive race in Pennsylvania, where Democrats gained four House seats in 2006—the most of any state.
English, 52, won the seat in 1994, succeeding Republican Tom Ridge, who successfully ran for governor. A social conservative with a moderate record on economic issues, he said he recognizes that voters are upset with Washington. But he said he greatly understands the needs of the communities within the district's seven counties and has a record of advocating for pro-growth policies.
He's also emphasized his seniority on the influential House committee that oversees tax legislation and entitlement programs.
"In my case, I'm the only candidate running this year that not only has a track record of being a change agent, but also has the realistic prospect of achieving change," English said.
Before winning his seat, English worked for former Rep. Melissa Hart when she was a state senator. Hart represented the adjoining district until 2006 and is running to win her seat back.
In 1990, English helped run former Sen. Rick Santorum's first House race. Santorum, who went on to serve two terms in the House and two in the Senate before losing in 2006, is from Penn Hills outside Pittsburgh.
Dahlkemper, who opposes abortion rights, won a four-way Democratic primary in April with nearly 44 percent of the vote. She said it was deep concern for the country's future, and that of her five children—the youngest is 19—that motivated her to run.
She said as a parent and business owner, she can relate and sell the region to corporations looking to expand.
"A lot of the economic growth in this region, this district, is really from the small business sector, so I understand business," Dahlkemper said. "I've made a payroll. I've followed a budget and I've actually created jobs in this district, unlike Phil English. I've actually been out there working in the private sector."
This week, English twice voted against a $700 billion plan to bailout ailing financial institutions, expressing concern that there weren't enough protections for taxpayers. The House rejected the bill on Monday, but it was passed Friday after some new provisions were added. Later, Dahlkemper expressed in statements from a spokesman that she, too, would have voted "no" both times.
In the last two elections, English was challenged by Steven Porter, a composer and educator running as a Democrat. English well outspent Porter, who still was able to draw at least 40 percent of the vote each time.
Porter sought to run as an independent in this year's race but was removed from the ballot after Democrats challenged his signatures. He's appealed to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court—and if he wins, that could hurt Dahlkemper's chances because he's likely to win the votes of some of his Democratic past supporters.
The district consists of Erie County and parts of Armstrong, Butler, Crawford, Mercer, Venango and Warren counties. It went for President Bush in the last two presidential elections, but Democrats have a slight registration advantage over Republicans.
Lois Evangelista, 60, a store clerk in Butler, said Dahlkemper made a campaign stop in her store and she was impressed.
"We need a woman in there ... we have voices," said Evangelista, a Democrat who backed Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and now plans to vote for Sen. Barack Obama in the presidential election. "We need to be heard, too."
Evangelista, a mother of five and grandmother of 17, said she plans to read more about English's record before making up her mind, but she'll likely vote for Dahlkemper.
Another voter, Tom Cummings, 82, a Republican from Butler, said he's sticking with the incumbent.
"Phil English is a pretty good man," said Cummings from the behind the counter of the candy and coffee shop that's been in his family for multiple generations. "He's done a good job."
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On the Net:
GOP Rep. Phil English: http://www.peopleforenglish.org
Kathy Dahlkemper: http://kathydahlkemperforcongress.com
