PA-4: Ex-Congressman Going Down

It is clear local Montgomery County Democratic politics is moving well beyond former US Rep. Joe Hoeffel.  The ex-Congressman served in the House for three terms, from 1999-2005.  He was the Democratic US Senate nominee in 2004, losing to then-incumbent Arlen Specter (R), 53-42%.  Now, he is attempting a political comeback in the new open 4th CD, but finds rough going.  Raising only $20,000 in the last reporting period, Mr. Hoeffel is lagging well behind state Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-Jenkintown). 
 
Already endorsing Ms. Dean is former Governor and Democratic National Committee chairman Ed Rendell, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, ex-Montgomery County US Rep. Allyson Schwartz, four top unions, and 12 current local Montgomery County elected officials.  Ironically, Ms. Dean’s first political experience came as a teenager when she volunteered for a state Representative’s re-election effort…a state legislator named Joe Hoeffel.

--Jim Ellis