This quiet, sprawling, sleepy district in the Pennsylvania hinterlands is generating more political news this cycle than it has for decades, since the retirement of long-term Republican incumbent John Peterson makes it an open seat.
Catch up with the background here:
http://www.swingstateproject.com/...
or at any of the diaries that pull up from the tag PA-05.
and then join me below the fold for the newest names.
Information drawn and digested from the largest newspaper in the southern part of the district:
http://www.centredaily.com/...
Clarion Borough Mayor John Stroup said Wednesday he will run for the 5th Congressional District seat, becoming the first Republican from the western part of the district to say he’s committed to seeking the nomination.
John Coleman, president of the Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County, said he is considering the Republican nomination as well. And Benson Lichtig, a State College businessman, was understood to be giving serious thought to running for the Democratic nod.
This gives a roster (at this point, but stay tuned!)
Republicans:
Clarion Borough Mayor John Stroup (declared)
Centre County Commissioner Chris Exarchos,(declared)
State College businessman Matt Shaner (declared)
Clearfield County financial consultant Derek Walker (not sure of status)
Union Township resident Craig Lucas, (not sure of status)
John Coleman, president of the Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County, (pondering)
Democrats:
Lock Haven Mayor Richard Vilello (declared)
Congressional committee staffer Bill Cahir (declared)
Benson Lichtig, a State College businessman, (pondering).
Cahir's announcement indicated that the purpose of his run for federal office is to assist the Bush Administration in continuing the Iraq War, so he wouldn't be my first choice.