Free Republic

WASHINGTON - A Democratic congressman has decided to abandon his suburban Philadelphia seat to run for the Senate seat now held by Republican Sen. Arlen Specter, The Associated Press has learned. The decision by Rep. Joseph Hoeffel probably will pit the three-term Democrat against the winner of a bruising Republican primary next April between the moderate Specter and a challenger who already has announced, conservative Rep. Pat Toomey , R-Pa. Hoeffel's formal announcement will come in the next several weeks, a source with knowledge of his decision said on condition of anonymity. His spokesman, Frank X. Custer, would not confirm...

Sources have confirmed to PoliticsPA that Congressman Joseph Hoeffel has decided to run for the Democratic nomination for Senate in 2004, but a formal announcement may be weeks away. The only other announced Democratic candidate has been Penn Future leader John Hanger, while former software company founder and CEO, musician, and philanthropist Charlie Crystle continues to mull a Senate bid. An open seat in the 13th Congressional District will be one of 2004's most contested races. The only announced Republican candidate for Congress, Ellen Bard, is likely to face stiff competition from 2002 nominee Dr. Melissa Brown, who came within...

Congressman Joseph M. Hoeffel III might have his sights set on a higher office. Despite three nail-biting victories and three losses in his congressional career, Hoeffel is considering a run for the U.S. Senate in 2004. Sen. Arlen Specter, 73, a four-term Republican from Philadelphia, holds the seat and is expected to seek re-election. "At the moment, my intention is to run for re-election to the House, but I am looking at this. There's some indication that (Specter) is vulnerable," Hoeffel said Monday. "I hope to make a decision relatively soon, yes or no." An Abington Democrat, Hoeffel represents the...

Poll: Brown closing gap on Hoeffel NORRISTOWN - A new poll of likely voters shows Republican Melissa Brown has closed the gap in her race against Congressman Joseph M. Hoeffel III. The poll of 300 likely voters from Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District showed Hoeffel leading Brown 43 percent to 35 percent. With a margin of error of 5 percent, that puts Brown neck and neck with Hoeffel, she says. The poll was conducted for the National Republican Congressional Committee by Washington, D.C.-based Public Opinion Strategies. Brown, a Flourtown eye doctor, says the poll proves her message is resonating with voters....