By Alex Roarty
PoliticsPA Staff Writer
roarty@politicspa.com

Two local Democrats in the 6th Congressional District, Reading Mayor Tom McMahon and Berks County Commissioner Kevin Barnhardt, have switched their support from Doug Pike to Manan Trivedi, the physician’s campaign said Monday.

Barnhardt and McMahon had endorsed Pike, a former editorial writer for The Philadelphia Inquirer, before Trivedi entered the campaign. Pike, who received support from nearly elected official in the 6th District, was thought to have his party’s nomination sewn up until Trivedi suddenly entered the primary in September.

“Let me be clear. I respect Mr. Pike,” McMahon said in a statement. “But once Manan entered the race I felt it was my obligation to thoroughly evaluate the candidates and see who would have the best opportunity to win and would also best represent the people of this district.  That person is Manan Trivedi.”

Late last year, state Sen. Daylin Leach withdrew his endorsement from Pike, deciding to stay neutral instead.

The campaign also announced new members of its finance committee, which includes fundraising guru Peter Buttenweiser.

“Any campaign would be extremely pleased to have him,” said Ed Niles, Trivedi’s campaign manager.

Niles, who worked on John Edwards’ bid for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008, joined Trivedi’s campaign last Tuesday.

News of Trivedi’s endorsements comes on the heals of a disappointing campaign finance report revealed Monday. The Iraq war veteran raised 100,000 in the fourth fiscal quarter but spent the same amount, meaning his cash on hand didn’t increase from this last report.

Pike’s campaign has more than $1 million on hand.