1984 Pennsylvania State Treasurer election

1984 Pennsylvania State Treasurer election

←  1980 November 6, 1984 1988 →

Nominee R. Budd Dwyer Al Benedict Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 2,348,977 2,040,693 Percentage 51.78% 44.99%

Treasurer before election R. Budd Dwyer Republican Elected Treasurer R. Budd Dwyer Republican

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

April 10, 1984 Republican primary ^[5]

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

April 10, 1984 Democratic primary ^[8]

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

1984 Pennsylvania State Treasurer election ^[9]

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

1. "PENNSYLVANIA AIDE FOCUS OF SCANDAL". New York Times . August 26, 1984.
2. J.E. Rosenberger (August 1, 1984). "Dwyer tainted by 'political plum'". The Pittsburgh Press .
3. "Dwyer Re-Elected". Observer-Reporter . November 8, 1984.
4. 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.
5. The Pennsylvania Manual, 1984-1985 - Page 603. Pennsylvania Department of General Services. 1985. ISBN   978-0-8182-0029-8.
6. "Montgomery County Woman Seeks Treasurer's Nomination". Observer–Reporter . March 27, 1984.
7. Barbara S. Miller (March 16, 1984). "This Michael Jackson Isn't Pop Music Star". Observer–Reporter .
8. The Pennsylvania Manual, 1984-1985 - Page 603. Pennsylvania Department of General Services. 1985. ISBN   978-0-8182-0029-8.
9. The Pennsylvania Manual, 1984-1985 - Page 618. Pennsylvania Department of General Services. 1985. ISBN   978-0-8182-0029-8.