Democratic Congressman Tim Holden, a reliable ally of working families, faces 10-term Republican Rep. George Gekas, thanks to redistricting. This seat in the east-central part of the state includes state capital Harrisburg. Holden, who has voted with the IBEW 100 percent on crucial votes in the past two years, is the great grandson of the founder of the organization that later became the United Mine Workers. Although he has represented part of eastern Pennsylvania for 10 years, Holden is the underdog running in a district that is 60 percent new territory for him. Republicans outnumber Democrats here by more than 50,000. He has been a solid vote for labor, opposing NAFTA and Trade Promotion Authority while supporting ergonomics legislation and the minimum wage increase. Gekas voted against IBEW issues 78 percent of the time and received a 100 percent rating from pro-business group, BIPAC, for his stance on a variety of issues the IBEW opposes.

The IBEW has 2,516 members in Pennsylvania’s 17^th District.