The rush is on to replace Allyson Schwartz, who is departing her Democratic congressional district to run for Governor. But she’s not planning to get involved in the battle to succeed her.
Her gubernatorial campaign spokeswoman Reesa Kossoff says Schwartz has no intention of endorsing in the race.
“Allyson has many good friends in the race. As the current member representing the district, and having represented it for now for five terms, it’s important to her that the next representative be a strong advocate on behalf of Northeast Philadelphia and Montgomery County,” Kossoff told PoliticsPA.
“She has no plans to endorse, and wishes all the candidates well.”
Lots of people with varying degrees of rapport with Schwartz have either declared a bid for her seat or hinted at their interest.
Physician and activist Dr. Valerie Arkoosh is married to Schwartz’s congressional campaign treasurer and is herself a longtime supporter. Jonathan Saidel was Schwartz’s campaign chair when she first ran for Congress in 2004 and has reprised his role for her gubernatorial campaign. Both have filed FEC papers to run.
For years, Schwartz has been attending Democratic fundraisers and functions with state Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Phila) and state Sen. Daylin Leach (D-Montco), both of whom have also filed.
And she has a strong relationship with numerous others of the prospective candidates: former Congresswoman Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky, state Reps. Mark Cohen and Ed Neilson (D-Phila), state Sens. Mike Stack and LeAnna Washington (D-Phila) and Montco Prothonotary Mark Levy.
She has a practical interest in staying neutral, too. The same donors and voters who take sides in PA-13 must also choose a candidate for Governor, and Schwartz does not want to alienate any faction in her political base. Particularly since one of her top prospective opponents, Treasurer Rob McCord, lives just a few miles outside the district lines.
4 Responses
Mark Levy would be a good candidate. He could tap into a large donor base and I think he could win a large primary.
Go, Daylin, go!
Some of the candidates you list may have expressed interest but have a snowball’s chance of going anywhere in this race.
Since you do not have to live in the district to run I would like to nominate newly minted Bucks Dem Kevin Strouse to run in Montco/Philly district. What does he know about PA geography anyhow?