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A MontCo dentist looks to challenge Schwartz

CORRECTIONS APPENDED (see bottom)

A dentist from Huntingdon Valley says he’s likely to challenge Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz (D-13) next year, going up against a popular and well-entrenched incumbent in what is sure to be a steep uphill battle.

Damian Dachowski, who has lived his whole life in the 13th Congressional District and has his own dental practice in Horsham, had not officially declared his candidacy. But he has filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission, launched a campaign Web site and is looking for support in the district. Even as he insisted his decision wasn’t final in an interview with pa2010.com, he spoke as if it was.

“I’m running for congress because government just seems to be going in the wrong direction, and Americans are looking for new leadership to fix a system that’s broken,” Dachowski said. “We’ve all earned the right to see our tax dollars spent wisely and that’s not happening today.”

But in an indication that he still seems to be formulating a political strategy, Dachowski declined to criticize Schwartz specifically or to offer up his own analysis of the electoral landscape he would face in 2010.

“We’re listening to the concerns of the constituents,” he said.

The district, which is mostly in Montgomery County but also includes much of northeast Philadelphia, has become an increasingly hard place for Republicans to field competitive candidates. Democrats now outnumber Republicans in the district. The GOP’s nominee last year, attorney Marina Kats, lost to Schwartz by almost 30 points.

A Schwartz spokesperson had no comment on the possible challenge.

CORRECTION: This article originally stated that Dachowski has not filed paperwork with the FEC. He has in fact filed both a statement of candidacy and a statement of organization. The article also misstated the the geographic boundaries of the 13th District. It includes much of northeast Philadelphia, not “a small part.”

June 15, 2009 at 11:39 am

--Dan Hirschhorn

Tags: Allyson Schwartz, Damian Dachowski, PA-13

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