Democratic Congressman Tim Holden has hired veteran Pennsylvania operative Eric Nagy to run his re-election campaign while retaining the services of one longtime consultant.

Holden faces Republican challenger Dave Argall, a state senator from Schuylkill County, in what’s expected to be a hotly contested race in the 17th Congressional District. The longtime incumbent hasn’t faced a serious threat in recent election cycles, but Argall is well-known in most state political circles and represents an area, Schuylkill County, considered key to winning the central Pennsylvania district.

Nagy worked on Hilary Clinton’s president campaign and later managed state reps. Tim Seip’s and Paul Drucker’s races in 2008. He will work with the state Democratic Party to run the congressman’s field operation.

Holden isn’t taking anything for granted against Argall in a race he called “tougher than normal” for the congressman.

“Dave Argall is certainly a formidable opponent in that regard,” he said.

Holden has retained longtime consultant Joe Trippi for his 2010 race, Nagy said, and hired Cooper and Secrest Associates as his polling firm.

Tags: Dave Argall for Congress, Tim Holden for Congress

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