The
Allentown Morning Call is reporting that Ginny Schrader will be announcing her candidacy for the 8th District Congressional Seat:
Virginia Schrader will become the third Democrat to officially enter the 2006 congressional race in Bucks County when she makes her announcement at the Lower Makefield Township Municipal Building. Schrader said it's necessary to get an early start because she doesn't want to fall behind on fundraising efforts.
''You have to get started raising money,'' Schrader said Friday. ''Organizations want to make endorsements early. It's like the election never ends.''
Schrader lost to Fitzpatrick in 2004 by about 39,000 votes.
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Two Democrats -- Iraq War veteran Patrick Murphy of New Hope and Northampton Township party activist Paul Lang -- have already made official announcements.
Two other prospective candidates, former Commissioner Andrew L. Warren and investments banker Robin L. Wiessmann, have acknowledged that they are meeting with Democratic leaders this summer to gauge interest in their campaigns.
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Schrader, an attorney from Lower Makefield, entered the race in early 2004 against Greenwood, but when the incumbent withdrew during the summer to take a job heading a biotechnology industry group, she found herself facing Fitzpatrick.
She was able to raise about $500,000, compared with Fitzpatrick's $900,000. Both sides also were aided by media campaigns financed by their national party organizations.
''The Democrats spent $1 million so people would know my name,'' Schrader said. ''The Republicans spent $2 million. Now, everybody knows who I am. People ask, 'Are you going to run again?' I tell them I'm running again.''
There has been some excitement about this seat since Mike Fitzpatrick has aligned himself with the like of Tom Tancredo, Tom Delay and Rick Santorum, folks that do not exactly jive with the political climate of Bucks County:
Cordisco said the early enthusiasm of candidates for the congressional seat is a mixed blessing. On the one hand, the chairman said, the competition is good for the party and will enable the best candidate to rise above the others. He added, though, that party leaders would do well to concentrate on this fall's election, which features races for district attorney and judge.
''This visibility is not a negative thing,'' the chairman said. ''I don't mind it during the summer, but come September the focus should be on the November election.''
These next coming months should be interesting. Clearly Patrick Murphy has the upper hand when it comes to money and support but unless another high profile woman steps into the race, Ginny may be able to counter that with the support of Emily's List and others. Stay tuned, this race has not even started yet!