Incumbent Rep. Mike Kelly, a Republican from Butler, today takes on Democratic contender Missa Eaton and Steven Porter, an unaffiliated Independent candidate, for Pennsylvania’s Third Congressional District.

The 2012 elections will be the first using new redistricting maps based on 2010 Census data.

Prior to redistricting, Cranberry was part of the 4th Congressional District led by Jason Altmire. Fellow Democratic incumbent Rep. Mark Critz defeated Altmire in the primary election after the 4^th district was folded into one new 12^th district, currently represented by Critz.

Critz, who Altmire has since endorsed, next faces Republican Keith Rothfus of Edgeworth.

A former Butler County council member who also once served on the Butler Area School Board, Kelly was first elected to the House in 2010. A married father of four, he owns a family car dealership in Butler.

Eaton, of Sharon, is an assistant professor of psychology at Penn State Shenango and an active Democrat in Mercer County. This is her first time running for office.

A resident of Wattsburg, located near Erie, Steven Porter is a teacher, composer and political activist. He unsuccessfully ran as a Democrat for Pennsylvania’s Third Congressional District in 2004 and 2006. He has been an Independent since 2006.

Check back with Cranberry Patch for updates and results from the Third Congressional District.

Quick Links:

• For a profile on Rep. Mike Kelly, click here.
• For a profile Missa Eaton, click here.
• For a profile on Steven Porter, click here.