Welcome to Election Day 2014.
Voters will try to prove me wrong today. I was one of the few voices in the state who believe Tom Corbett will be re-elected for another four years as governor of Pennsylvania.
It's been an uphill battle. The Republican incumbent has consistently trailed his Democratic challenger, York businessman Tom Wolf, by double digits in most polls.
Corbett has been closing that gap a bit in the final weeks of the campaign, but I'm not sure he'll be able to make up the deficit.
In addition to the governor's race, we'll be paying close attention to two hotly contested state legislative battles. Those would be the 26th District state Senate seat that has featured a battle royal between incumbent County Councilman Tom McGarrigle and Democrat union leader John Kane.
Then there is the 163rd state House race that pits Democrat Vince Rongione vs. Republican Jamie Santora.
The interesting thing about those two races is that they both amount to open seats, due to the retirements of two longtime Republican state legislators, Sen. Ted Erickson and Rep. Nick Micozzie.
If you want predictions, here are mine:
Tom Wolf wins the governor's race by 6-7 points.
Tom McGarrigle goes to the Senate with a 9-point margin.
Vince Rongione wins a cliffhanger, sweating out a 3-point win.
My featured columnist, Chris Freind, has some different ideas. Here are his predictions for the key Delco races.
And if you are still undecided, here are our endorsements:
PA. GOVERNOR: Democrat Tom Wolf.
U.S. CONGRESS, 7th District: Republican Pat Meehan
U.S. CONGRESS, 1st District: Democrat Bob Brady
PA. SENATE, 26th District: Republican Tom McGarrigle
PA. HOUSE, 163rd District: Democrat Vince Rongione
PA. HOUSE, 161st District: Republican Joe Hackett
PA HOUSE, 164th District: Democrat Margo Davidson
PA HOUSE, 165th District: Republican Bill Adolph
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