Democratic Rep. (Joseph Hoeffel) to Join Pa. Senate Race

The Associated Press ^ | 7/8/03 | Lara Jakes Jordan

[LdSentinal]

WASHINGTON - Democratic Rep. Joseph Hoeffel said Tuesday he will seek the Senate seat held by four-term Republican incumbent Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, who must first get past a GOP challenger before seeking another term in November 2004.

"I believe passionately that Washington can be a powerful and positive force to improve the quality of life for the people of Pennsylvania," the three-term congressman from the Philadelphia area said in a statement.

Hoeffel planned to file his official statement of candidacy later in the day.

Although Hoeffel's announcement had been expected for weeks, Democrats in Washington and Harrisburg, Pa., had a chance to utter a collective sigh of relief after scrambling to find a candidate. The Democratic nominee will face the winner of the April 27 Republican primary between the moderate Specter and conservative Rep. Pat Toomey, R-Pa.

Gov. Ed Rendell, a Democrat who is a longtime Specter friend and political ally, immediately endorsed Hoeffel.

"Joe has been an excellent congressman, a good friend and he will do a great job for Pennsylvania in the U.S. Senate," Rendell said in the statement released by Hoeffel's campaign. "I endorse him wholeheartedly."

Still, Hoeffel could face a primary challenge. Charlie Crystle, a management consultant-turned-political aspirant, will decide by mid-September whether to run for the Democratic nomination.

[Jim Robinson]

ACU Ratings:

	2002	2001	Years	Life
Specter	50%	56%	22	42%
Santorum	95%	100%	12	87%
Toomey	100%	100%	4	97%
Hoeffel	4%	0%	4	5%

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