1984 Pennsylvania State Treasurer election
November 6, 1984
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Dwyer: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% 70–80% Benedict: 40–50% 50–60% 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
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| Elections in Pennsylvania |
|---|
| Government |
The 1984 Pennsylvania State Treasurer election took place on November 6, 1984, to elect the Treasurer of Pennsylvania.
In the midst of a scandal, which included allegations of bribes, sexual favors and a secret Swiss bank account, incumbent Republican Treasurer R. Budd Dwyer won re-election to a second term, defeating Democratic nominee and Auditor General Al Benedict.[1][2][3]
In the years following the election, both Dwyer and Benedict would be convicted on federal corruption charges. Benedict was convicted of racketeering and tax fraud charges and was sentenced to six years in prison, serving two years,[4] while Dwyer was convicted of bribery charges, but committed suicide during a press conference before he was sentenced.
Republican primary
Nominee
- R. Budd Dwyer, incumbent Treasurer.
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | R. Budd Dwyer (incumbent) | 578,063 | 100.00% | |
| Total votes | 578,063 | 100.00% | ||
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- Al Benedict, incumbent Auditor General.
Eliminated in primary
- Catherine B. Knoll, candidate for this office in 1976.
- Arline Lotman, Montgomery County lawyer.[6]
- Michael Jackson, Beaver County Prothonotary.[7]
- Al Smith, York County industrial designer/consultant.
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Al Benedict | 363,432 | 31.32% | |
| Democratic | Catherine B. Knoll | 349,011 | 30.08% | |
| Democratic | Arline Lotman | 218,364 | 18.82% | |
| Democratic | Michael Jackson | 131,517 | 11.34% | |
| Democratic | Al Smith | 97,894 | 8.44% | |
| Total votes | 1,160,218 | 100.00% | ||
General election
Results
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | R. Budd Dwyer | 2,348,977 | 51.78% | |
| Democratic | Al Benedict | 2,040,693 | 44.99% | |
| Consumer | Priscilla L. Thomas | 115,905 | 2.56% | |
| Libertarian | Ralph Mullinger | 30,496 | 0.67% | |
| Total votes | 4,536,071 | 100.00% | ||
| Republican hold | ||||
References
- ^ "PENNSYLVANIA AIDE FOCUS OF SCANDAL". New York Times. August 26, 1984.
- ^ J.E. Rosenberger (August 1, 1984). "Dwyer tainted by 'political plum'". The Pittsburgh Press.
- ^ "Dwyer Re-Elected". Observer-Reporter. November 8, 1984.
- ^ Bucsko, Mike (September 12, 2003). "Obituary: Al Benedict - State Auditor General Who Ran Afoul of the Law". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on October 8, 2022. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
- ^ The Pennsylvania Manual, 1984-1985 - Page 603. Pennsylvania Department of General Services. 1985. ISBN 978-0-8182-0029-8.
- ^ "Montgomery County Woman Seeks Treasurer's Nomination". Observer–Reporter. March 27, 1984.
- ^ Barbara S. Miller (March 16, 1984). "This Michael Jackson Isn't Pop Music Star". Observer–Reporter.
- ^ The Pennsylvania Manual, 1984-1985 - Page 603. Pennsylvania Department of General Services. 1985. ISBN 978-0-8182-0029-8.
- ^ The Pennsylvania Manual, 1984-1985 - Page 618. Pennsylvania Department of General Services. 1985. ISBN 978-0-8182-0029-8.