Lentz or Vitali? The question exposes a DelCo divide (Updated)

Ever since Congressman Joe Sestak (D-7) began signaling that he’d leave his House seat open in favor of a Senate run, Delaware County Democrats have been determined to hold onto a district it took them almost 20 years to win back. To that end, many have rallied around state Representative Bryan Lentz as the best candidate. But it seems that just as many have been prodding state Representative Greg Vitali to enter the race. And…

October 1, 2009 at 7:00 am | Comments (10)

DelCo Dem chairman not worried about a PA-7 primary

DREXEL HILL—Many Democrats in Delaware County readily admit to being terrified at the prospect of a bloody, contested primary in the 7th Congressional District. Republicans, who are widely seen as having a stronger local party organization, still outnumber Democrats in the district. It took one of the worst political climates for the GOP in decades for the Democrats to finally win the seat in 2006. And the local GOP leadership seems to have already cleared…

September 28, 2009 at 1:56 pm | Comments (1)

Vitali to make decision on House race ‘pretty soon’ after November election

While his two potential primary opponents look to build their Congressional campaigns early, state Representative Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) seems content to sit and wait just a little longer.

In a phone interview with pa2010.com Monday, Vitali said he’ll likely wait until after the Nov. 3 general election before deciding whether to seek the Democratic nomination in the 7th District. In a competitive race that will require boatloads of cash to win, and with the door…

September 28, 2009 at 12:19 pm | Comments (3)

Touey enters PA-7 as a ‘pro-business, no-waste, progressive Democrat’ (Updated)

DREXEL HILL—E. Teresa Touey returned from 18 years as a Massachusetts resident Monday morning to declare her candidacy for one of the most competitive House seats in Pennsylvania, when she stood by a train stop here and entered the Democratic primary in the 7th District.

“I am a pro-business, no-waste, progressive Democrat who will work tirelessly for the voters of the congressional seventh of Pennsylvania to promote its prosperity, and to strengthen its schools, and…

September 28, 2009 at 10:53 am | Comments (12)

Former aide to Kennedy, Sestak to run in PA-7

A political consultant who has worked for Congressman Joe Sestak and the late Senator Ted Kennedy is planning to announce her candidacy to run for the House seat being vacated by Sestak.

E. Teresa Touey, a Glenolden native who has lived in Massachusetts since the early 1990s, will return home to declare her candidacy for the 7th District on Monday. She is the first Democrat to signal that she will definitely run in next year’s…

September 24, 2009 at 12:13 pm | Comments (41)

Lentz nabs local labor endorsement

State Representative Bryan Lentz (D-Delaware) was endorsed by a local AFL-CIO chapter late Wednesday, setting him up to argue that he’s a candidate for labor even before he’s declared his candidacy.

The Delaware County chapter of the labor group endorsed Lentz on a unanimous vote, which both the campaign and the organization said was unprecedented in an announcement Thursday.

“America’s workers must share equitably in our nation’s prosperity and I will fight hard everyday to…

September 17, 2009 at 2:08 pm | Comments (16)

Meehan makes Congressional run official (Updated)

DREXEL HILL—Addressing a throng of supporters on his family’s front lawn here, former U.S. Attorney Pat Meehan formally announced his candidacy for Congress Monday, setting up one of the most competitive House races in the country.

“I think we’re in for one donnybrook of a general election,” said political scientist G. Terry Madonna. “This is gonna be one of the most watched, most fascinating contests in the country. It’s in a swing state, in a…

September 14, 2009 at 11:26 am | Comments (8)

Oxman heads consultant team for Lentz

In his bid to win the 7th District Congressional seat, state Representative Bryan Lentz (D-Delaware) will have help from one of the state’s premiere political consultants.

Lentz announced Friday that Neil Oxman’s Campaign Group would handle the campaign’s media. Oxman, a longtime political adviser to Gov. Ed Rendell and numerous other high-profile Democrats, also helped Congressman Joe Sestak (D-7) win the same seat in 2006.

In addition, the Lentz campaign announced that the Kennedy Group…

September 11, 2009 at 1:34 pm | Comments (2)

Meehan set to announce Congressional bid Monday

Former U.S. Attorney Pat Meehan seems ready to announce his run for Congress on Monday, with a series of events across the 7th District that are being billed as a “major campaign announcement.”

Meehan, who was preparing a run for governor before signaling last month that he would step aside in favor of state Attorney General Tom Corbett, has been considered a lock to enter the race for Democrat Joe Sestak’s seat ever since he…

September 10, 2009 at 12:54 pm | Comments (5)

Lentz headed to the White House Monday

State Representative Bryan Lentz (D-Delaware) will get a nice photo-op Monday, when he joins “select group” of energy policy leaders at the White House to discuss policy with Obama administration officials.

Lentz’s office announced his invitation to the White House Friday morning, though few details were provided. Regardless, it will be a chance for the 7th Congressional District hopeful to showcase his environmental bonafides ahead of next year’s primary.

“This is an excellent opportunity to…

August 21, 2009 at 9:52 am | Comments (2)