If Arlen Specter won reelection in 2010...

[TML]

As we all know, Arlen Specter lost his primary election in 2010 and subsequently left office early next year before dying in 2012.

Suppose he won the primary in 2010 and proceeded to defeat Pat Toomey in the general election that year before dying in office on or around the date of his actual death. In that case:

-Would Toomey have been appointed to Specter's seat, or would someone else have been appointed?
-Would there have been a special election for this seat in 2014?

[President Johnson]

I could see Governor Tom Corbett appointing his lt. governor, Jim Cawley. He would have won a 2014 special election.

[Left Wing]

I could see Governor Tom Corbett appointing his lt. governor, Jim Cawley. He would have won a 2014 special election.

I’m not so sure he would have won considering he would be on the same ballot as Corbett when he lost by 10 points and would be inextricably tied to Corbett.

[President Johnson]

I could see Governor Tom Corbett appointing his lt. governor, Jim Cawley. He would have won a 2014 special election.

I’m not so sure he would have won considering he would be on the same ballot as Corbett when he lost by 10 points and would be inextricably tied to Corbett.

Corbett's loss was a rejection of him, not the Republicans. They even made gains in the state legislature. Given these circumstances and how 2014 was for Democrats nationally, I think Cawley or any other serious replacement would have won.

[Never Made it to Graceland]

I could see Governor Tom Corbett appointing his lt. governor, Jim Cawley. He would have won a 2014 special election.

I’m not so sure he would have won considering he would be on the same ballot as Corbett when he lost by 10 points and would be inextricably tied to Corbett.

Corbett's loss was a rejection of him, not the Republicans. They even made gains in the state legislature. Given these circumstances and how 2014 was for Democrats nationally, I think Cawley or any other serious replacement would have won.

Gerrymandering.