While the Democratic primary shapes into a 1-on-1 battle, the GOP field in PA-8 is completely up in the air.
According to James McGinnis of the Bucks County Courier-Times, State Rep. Gene DiGirolamo will not run for the seat being vacated by Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick.
“It was a really tough decision,” DiGirolamo told McGinnis. “I’ve always had a dream of running for Congress. I really agonized over this.”
“I like very much doing what I’m doing here in Harrisburg,” he continued. “I’m chairman of a major committee. Starting all over again [in Congress] was not something that I thought was in my best interest or the interests of the people of Bucks County.”
DiGirolamo also citing the burden of fundraising as another reason he would be taking a pass.
For now, the Republican field remains wide open.
State Rep. Scott Petri is among those rumored to be interested but the most intriguing name out there is former Lt. Governor Jim Cawley.
Recently it seemed Cawley was leaning against a run in favor of a statewide race down the road. The fact that no Republican has yet to jump in, though, could be an indication that the ex-Bucks County Commissioner has changed his mind.
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4 Responses
John Davis, you are right, now there is a glimmer of hope for Steve the Lawyer. However small that glimmer maybe.
And a collective sigh of relief runs through the Santarsiero camp. Well, it looks like do-nothing Steve might actually have an opportunity to win. He won’t, but he at least now has a shot. DiGirolamo would have cleaned him up by at lesat 15 points.
Another lifelong teet-sucker.
Wow. I’ve met Gene a few times, and while I would probably have supported Santarsiero over Gene anyway, I’m actually floored by this decision. I thought for sure he was running.
I think we should all take note that he gave fundraising as one of his reasons for not running. Wherever we fall on the ideological spectrum, Gene DiGiralamo is someone we should want in public service. That he’s being held back from running because of fundraising is concerning. Because he’s not the only one.