Lentz wants to debate Meehan ‘any place, any time’ (Updated)

With primary day in the rear-view mirror, Democrat Bryan Lentz says it’s time for Republican Pat Meehan to get serious about having some policy debates.

Lents this week issued a challenge to his 7th District opponent, saying he was ready to debate Meehan “any place, any time.” His comments came after Meehan wrote in an e-mail to supporters that he looks forward to “setting up a vigorous series of debates” with Lentz, and after instances…

May 21, 2010 at 3:00 pm | Comments (36)

Sestak backs Lentz, former rival, for House seat

MEDIA—Congressman Joe Sestak (D-7) gave the official thumbs-up to former political rival Bryan Lentz on Tuesday, as Lentz pursues the House seat that Sestak is leaving open to run for Senate.

With the primary field clear for Lentz, Sestak’s support was largely assumed, but it was nonetheless an important symbolic gesture to a local Democratic establishment loyal to Sestak, and an appropriate closing chapter to what was very briefly a political rivalry in 2006. Sestak…

May 11, 2010 at 5:00 pm | Comments (10)

Meehan has yet to pay legal costs for ballot challenge

Republican Pat Meehan’s campaign reported finishing last month with about $900,000 in the bank. But that total does not reflect what will end up being an expensive slate of legal fees associated with defending his ballot position.

Meehan, who full story

May 7, 2010 at 3:34 pm | Comments (9)

Lentz gave $2K to felled opponent; has $600K on hand

There’s nothing like some campaign cash to cheer you up after your campaign fizzles.

Democrat Bryan Lentz raised about $40,000 last month, finishing the pre-primary reporting period with $600,000 in cash on hand, according to full story

May 7, 2010 at 3:09 pm | Comments (9)

Lentz hits Meehan’s law-and-order bona fides

A few weeks after his campaign’s bid to keep Republican Pat Meehan off the ballot

May 3, 2010 at 7:30 am | Comments (14)

Special session on transportation is an opportunity for reform

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s recent rejection of the plan to turn Interstate 80 into a toll road has left our state’s transportation budget in crisis. Now, tough decisions lie ahead as we look for other ways to fund mass transit and much-needed repairs to Pennsylvania’s roads and bridges.

We cannot keep plugging budget holes with stopgap measures that make no improvements in the long-term strength of our transportation system. This is an opportunity to…

April 28, 2010 at 9:30 am | Comments (6)

Judge rules Touey can’t be on ballot, leaving Lentz alone in 7th District

Let the general election begin in the 7th Congressional District.

A state judge ruled Thursday that Democrat E. Teresa Touey had only 992 valid signatures on her nominating petitions, less than the 1,000 required. Commonwealth Court Judge P. Kevin Brobson’s decision kept Touey off the May primary ballot, leaving state Representative Bryan Lentz (D-Delaware) as the only Democrat in the race. He will face former U.S. Attorney Pat Meehan in November, and the two have…

April 16, 2010 at 3:06 pm | Comments (14)

Meehan fundraising edge stays steady; legal costs still loom for Lentz

Republican Pat Meehan continues to be better-funded than Democrat Bryan Lentz in one of the country’s most competitive House races.

Meehan, a former U.S. Attorney, raised about $342,000 during the first quarter of the year, and finished March with about $875,000 in cash on hand, according to

April 15, 2010 at 2:30 pm | Comments (10)

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…

April 14, 2010 at 2:03 pm | Comments (3)

Meehan camp says it’s raised more than a million

Republican Pat Meehan’s congressional campaign said Monday that it raised more than $340,000 during the first three months of 2010, finishing March with about $855,000 in cash on hand.

Meehan, a former U.S. Attorney running in the 7th Congressional District, has now raised more than $1.1 million during his campaign. Political watchers expect him to have more campaign cash than Democratic opponent Bryan Lentz, and big-name Republicans like Tom Ridge and Chris Christie have been…

April 12, 2010 at 1:40 pm | Comments (5)