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Malvern consultant managing Buchanan’s campaign

Republican Mary Beth Buchanan has a new campaign manager.

Mike Walsh, who has worked on the early campaigns for Rick Santorum and Tom Ridge, started running Buchanan’s campaign early last week. Buchanan, a former U.S. Attorney, saw her first campaign chief in the 4th Congressional District leave after he was quoted—but not accused of wrongdoing—in the grand jury presentment that indicted state Senator Jane Orie.

Walsh is currently a principal at the Malvern-based Pathfinder Communications Group, a firm run by the prominent GOP operative Jason Ercole. Walsh ran Jim Greenwood’s congressional campaign in Bucks County in the 1990s, and Tom Reynolds’ congressional campaign in New York. In a brief interview with pa2010.com Thursday, Walsh said he was excited to work for Buchanan.

“She’s one of these top-tier candidates that when she needs help, guys like me run out to help,” Walsh said. “She’s an outstanding candidate, and she’ll be an even better congresswoman.”

Buchanan’s primary opponent in the race to take on Congressman Jason Altmire (D-4), attorney Keith Rothfus, bested her in fundraising last quarter and has enjoyed some good headlines in recent weeks. Walsh passed on a chance to give his take on just how competitive the primary race is. With deep party support, most watchers still consider Buchanan the favorite, even as Rothfus has turned heads.

“I’m not sure how competitive it will be,” Walsh said of the primary. “There’s a lot of activity on the ground on both sides. Everybody sees this moment as a chance to beat Altmire. … Mary Beth is absolutely poised to return this seat as a Republican seat in the fall.”

April 29, 2010 at 5:43 pm

--pa2010.com Staff

Tags: Jason Altmire, Keith Rothfus, Mary Beth Buchanan, PA-4

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