Could Pa. congressional races produce surprises?

Many observers believe that the outcome of Pennsylvania’s congressional races will only reaffirm the status quo, but Election Day surprises can never be ruled out.

All but two of the state’s 18 members of the U.S. House of Representatives are seeking re-election. Three of them — two Republicans and a Democrat — won new terms in the May primary because they are unopposed in the Nov. 4 general election.

Overall, thanks in part to a GOP-crafted redistricting map that the Republican-controlled Legislature approved in 2011, Republicans currently hold 13 seats and Democrats hold five.

Despite lively races in the 6th and 8th districts outside Philadelphia, Franklin & Marshall College pollster Terry Madonna says he’s seen nothing to suggest they’ll change the partisan lineup.