Dem. Lentz Launches Campaign for 7th PA House Seat (Sestak's Seat West of Phila).

[JPZenger]

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/20091112_Lentz_launches_campaign_for_7th_Congressional_District.html

Excerpts:

"State Rep. Bryan Lentz today opened his campaign for the Democratic nomination to represent PA's 7th District. Lentz, an Army Airborne veteran of Bosnia and Iraq and a former assistant prosecutor in Philadelphia, is seen as the front-runner in the race to try to keep the traditionally Republican seat in Democratic hands. Incumbent U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak (D., Pa.) is challenging Sen. Arlen Specter (D., Pa.) in the primary.

Whoever wins the nomination to succeed Sestak will face the all-but-certain Republican nominee, former U.S. Attorney Patrick Meehan, who was also the Delaware County prosecutor. Both national parties are targeting the race in the 7th, a swing district dominated by Delaware County that also includes territory in Montgomery and Chester counties.

Lentz has reported raising more than $250,000, and has sewed up the endorsements of more than 70 local elected Democrats and party officials. The Delaware County AFL-CIO also is backing him. Several other Democrats are in the mix: environmental lawyer Gail Conner, based in Newtown Square; Political consultant E. Teresa Touey; and longtime Democratic state Rep. Greg Vitali of Haverford Township also is thinking about the race."