U.S. Rep. Phil English might have survived the challenge of Erie businesswoman Kathy Dahlkemper in Tuesday's election had there not been such a national anti-George W. Bush sentiment. She captured 52 percent of the vote, compared with English's 48 percent — certainly not a landslide.

That aside, Dahlkemper's prospects for winning were greatly enhanced by the strong campaign she and her supporters waged in challenging the seven-term incumbent Republican. She convinced voters that her prospects for achievement in Congress on behalf of the 3rd District eclipsed the benefits the district could derive from English's seniority and experience — the primary points on which the congressman based his campaign.

She got a further boost by more than $1 million worth of TV ads on her behalf, sponsored by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. They were ads that raised questions about English's priorities and performance.

Also, it didn't hurt Dahlkemper's campaign having popular former President Bill Clinton sharing a stage with her the day before the election, touting her ability to work hard on behalf of the district, which includes a part of Butler County.

Her challenge will be to live up to the vote of confidence that she received Tuesday. As a new member of Congress, she will be limited in what she will be able to accomplish during the next two years, but freshman status doesn't mean there cannot be accomplishments.

U.S. Rep. Jason Altmire, D-4th, who also represents a part of Butler County, was re-elected to a second term Tuesday, built on a campaign that, in part, touted his work on behalf of veterans, military personnel returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, and his willingness to stand up to his party on important issues — such as when he voted against the $750 billion bailout, which many of his constituents opposed.

For Dahlkemper, the challenge will be to work on behalf of the 3rd District's interests as a whole. However, she must be watching for — and seeking — ways she can help individual communities within that district.

Throughout his years in Congress, that was not one of English's strong points — at least not for Butler County, despite consistently strong support here.

During an interview at the Butler Eagle prior to the election, English blamed leaders in Butler County for not presenting him with appropriate projects. He said that was not the case throughout the district.

His comments signal the need for local leaders to develop better communication with Dahlkemper about this county's needs — the sooner the better.

Elsewhere on the Butler County election front, there were no surprises, including the race involving sometimes-controversial state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-12th, who easily won a sixth term, beating Democrat John Olesnevich. Metcalfe captured 67 percent of the votes in the district in the southern part of the county.

On the referendum front, Butler County voters backed a proposal to allow the commonwealth to borrow $400 million to repair and upgrade water and sewer systems.

Meanwhile, there were several General Assembly seats that featured no opposition, such as in the case of Rep. Dick Stevenson, R-8th.

For Butler County, then, the situation following the election will be mostly status quo, except in the case of Dahlkemper, who will be watched in terms of how she performs her congressional responsibilities in 2009 and the year following.

Like English over the past eight years, she will be working with a "friendly" political party inhabiting the White House.

Many Butler County residents were satisfied with English's performance, and it can be said that he was a visible congressman here, visiting this county often and holding sessions with constituents and working on their behalf.

His loss can be attributed in part to Bush's low popularity, but also with voters' unhappiness with the Republican Party. "Change" was in the wind, and English can count himself among the victims of that mood.

Now, having elected a new person to represent them in Washington, 3rd District residents hope Dahlkemper also will be visible throughout the district.

While it can be said that, overall, English did a commendable job during his seven terms in Congress, the hope must be that Dahlkemper, having been given her new opportunity, will be an even better activist and advocate on district communities' behalf.

She worked hard in getting elected. She will have to work even harder when she assumes her congressional seat.