2008Final results
2008 election for Pennsylvania's 16th District
U.S. House · Pennsylvania
Joseph R. Pitts (R) won with 55.8% of the vote, defeating Bruce A. Slater (D) by 16.4 points.
Joseph R. PittsRepublican · winner
55.8%170,329
Bruce A. SlaterDemocrat
39.4%120,193
John A. MurphyIndependent
3.9%11,768
Daniel FrankConstitution
0.9%2,877
305,167 votes
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 2008
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
Money in this race
Each line compares the two campaigns on one scale.
Bruce A. SlaterJoseph R. Pitts
$98.5K
Raised by the campaign
$625.3K
$92.3K
Spent by the campaign
$621.7K
$6.2K
Cash on hand
$155.6K
Other candidates' campaigns: John A. Murphy $4.7K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 2008.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 2008
The candidates
Joseph R. Pitts (R)Bruce A. Slater (D)
Also on the ballot: John A. Murphy (Independent), 3.9%; Daniel Frank (Constitution), 0.9%