State News-Wednesday, Nov. 8th

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - The former Philadelphia mayor who defied anti-Philadelphia sentiment elsewhere in Pennsylvania to get elected governor now has a second term. Democratic Governor Ed Rendell easily defeated Republican challenger Lynn Swann. The political rookie was unable to capitalize on his star power as a Pro Football Hall-of-Famer. As he finished campaigning, Rendell was mobbed as he appeared in West Philadelphia. People shot pictures with cell phones and asked the governor for his autograph. Rendell spent an about an hour at an elevated train station as his campaign bus blared music. Swann took a more low-key approach to Election Day. He voted before breakfast and didn't campaign at all after that.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - U-S Representative Curt Weldon has been defeated from by Democratic challenger Joe Sestak. But the fate to two other suburban Philadelphia congressmen remains unclear. Republicans Jim Gerlach and Michael Fitzpatrick were locked in tight races with their challengers. Elsewhere in Pennsylvania, Republican U-S Representatives Don Sherwood and Melissa Hart were beaten. All other Pennsylvania members of the U-S House were re-elected.

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - So far, Democrats have a net gain of four seats in the state House of Representatives. But the second-ranking Democrat in the House, Mike Veon, has conceded defeat. Veon was the only legislator to vote against repealing last year's pay raise law. Veon was a leader in the Democratic drive this year to recapture the House from the Republicans, who have been in the majority for 12 years, and served as his party's whip. He had been seeking a 12th term in the House. It could be some time before it's known who will control the chamber starting in January.

HORSHAM, Pa. (AP) - Luxury home builder Toll Brothers says home-building revenue fell by 10 percent in the fourth quarter as the housing market continues to soften. Home-building revenue for the quarter fell to 1-point-81 billion dollars compared with two billion dollars in the prior year. Signed contracts for the quarter declined 55 percent to 710 million dollars from last year. The company had higher-than-expected cancellations, with 585 contracts terminated during the quarter. Toll Brothers said it expects writedowns on optioned and owned land in the fourth quarter between 50 million dollars and 100 million dollars, which would reduce fourth-quarter net income by 18 to 36 cents per share.