By Alex Roarty
PoliticsPA Staff Writer
roarty@www.politicspa.com
Republican congressional candidate Pat Meehan received the endorsement of former Governor Tom Ridge on Tuesday.
Ridge, also the country’s first head of the Department of Homeland Security, said Meehan “will provide the leadership we need in Congress to create jobs, boost our economy, and fight to reduce deficit spending.”
“Our nation faces many challenges in the years ahead, and we need someone of Pat’s integrity and courage to fight for us in Washington,” Ridge said in a statement. “I have known Pat Meehan for many years — dating back to my tenure as Governor – and Pat has always been an independent thinker, someone who will stand up for what is right. Pat will cut through the gridlock and bureaucracy to get the people’s business done.”
Meehan will almost certainly face Democratic state Rep. Bryan Lentz in the 7th District’s general election. The two men have begun what will likely be one of the country’s most competitive elections, with Lentz trying to have Meehan removed from the ballot because of what they allege are scores of illegally collected or forged signatures on his nominating petitions.