Meehan backs Corbett in GOP governor's race
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HARRISBURG -- It looks like the Republican contest for governor next year will be a two-man race, not a three-man race.
Patrick Meehan, former U.S. attorney in Philadelphia, said today he is "seriously considering'' a run for the 7th Congressional District in the Philadelphia suburbs, the district now represented by U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak.
Mr. Sestak, a Democrat, is vacating that seat in order to run for the U.S. Senate in 2010, in a primary against incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter.
For months, Mr. Meehan has said he was looking at a possible run for governor in 2010. U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach recently announced he will seek the Republican nomination for governor in 2010, and state Attorney General Tom Corbett is widely expected to announce his candidacy soon.
In a statement, Meehan aide Virginia Davis said her boss had gotten "a warm reception" from people as he explored a run for governor. But now, she said, "Pat is seriously considering a run for Congress in the 7th District. Pat will be encouraging Tom Corbett in his expected run for governor and looks forward to working with his supporters."
State Rep. Bryan Lentz, D-Delaware, is widely mentioned as a Democratic candidate for Mr. Sestak's congressional seat.
Potential Democratic candidates for governor in 2010 include Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato, state Auditor General Jack Wagner and Philadelphia businessman Tom Knox.
First Published August 7, 2009 6:07 pm
