Sewickley Residents Express Hopes, Optimism on Rothfus Election Win

Just a day after the elections, the Sewickley community was still buzzing about U.S. Rep.-elect Keith Rothfus's defeat of Incumbent U.S. Rep Mark Critz after a close race to represent the newly redrawn 12th District.

“Hopefully he’ll do a good job for the community,” said Lynn Swann of Sewickley, a retired Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver and former Republican candidate for governor.

Swann, who spent some time on the campaign trail this election season stomping for former Gov. Mitt Romney's presidential campaign, said the key for Rothfus will be working with constituents.

“He has an interesting district,” Swann added.

As a result of last year's redistricting, Aleppo, Bell Acres, Sewickley, Sewickley Heights, Glen Osborne, Haysville and Sewickley Hills were kept in one district, while Edgeworth, Leetsdale and Leet Township were separated into the 18th District of longtime Congressman Tim Murphy.

The new 12th District also forced Critz, of Johnstown, Cambria County, and U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire of McCandless Township to battle for one seat.

Critz unseated Altmire in the primary, while Rothfus, who lost to Altmire in 2010, ran unopposed in the Republican primary. . 

Sewickley resident John Luff said it's good to have a local candidate to reach out to, but he said he also hopes Rothfus will work with and listen to constituents over Tea Party interests. Luff, a Democrat, said he believes that is why Congress has been stymied for two-and-a half-years.

"If they don't learn to compromise, we'll have four more years of dysfunction," he said.

Peter Sour of Sewickley Heights said he believes Rothfus will do well serving his district in the House of Representatives.

“For me, Keith Rothfus represents the 'citizen legislator' rather than the 'professional politician,'” Sour said. “Family values rather than political obligations are Keith's core.”

Sour said it's a plus that Rothfus happens to be local, but he said he backs Rothfus because of the new congressman's character and values. As an example, Sour said Rothfus, an appendix cancer survivor, sacrificed years to help Hurricane Katrina victims as a coordinator of faith-based recovery efforts.

“Keith lives his values,” Sour said.

How They Voted:

Aleppo Twp.

Bell Acres

Glen Osborne

Haysville

Sewickley

Sewickley Heights

Sewickley Hills