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After mulling a run himself, Vitali endorses Lentz

Democrat Greg Vitali on Wednesday endorsed his state House colleague Bryan Lentz for Congress on Wednesday, giving Lentz the support of a prominent Delaware County Democrat who for months had been considering a primary run against Lentz.

Vitali formally backed Lentz outside his Haverford Township home, calling him “uniquely qualified.” Vitali’s support was largely assumed at this point—with Lentz now the party’s presumptive nominee, much of the local Democratic establishment had already lined up behind him.

But it nonetheless closed the book on what could have been a contentious primary, with local Democrats sharply—though not bitterly—divided over who was the best candidate.

“I suspect that no candidate nationwide shares Bryan’s qualifications for Congress,” Vitali said in a statement. “He was a Major in the Army, and we need people with hands-on experience who know how to make tough decisions regarding Iraq and Afghanistan. He’s an extremely hard worker and a smart legislator who knows how to get the job done. I enthusiastically support him.”

Lentz faces only one primary opponent, after environmental lawyer Gail Conner dropped out of the race in the wake of a ballot challenge spearheaded by Lentz. The other candidate, political consultant E. Teresa Touey, is also facing a ballot challenge brought by Lentz, and a hearing is scheduled for Thursday in Harrisburg.

Former U.S. Attorney Pat Meehan is the sole Republican candidate.

See video of the endorsement below, courtesy of the Lentz campaign.

April 14, 2010 at 2:03 pm

--Dan Hirschhorn

Tags: Bryan Lentz, Greg Vitali, PA-7

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