PA-4: State Rep Yields

The new open 4th District will likely go Democratic in the fall, and the party primary battle lines became a bit clearer yesterday.  Despite candidate filing closing on March 6th, State Rep. Mary Jo Daley (D-Narberth) ended her congressional campaign and endorsed her state legislative colleague, state Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-Abingdon Township).  Former Gov. Ed Rendell (D) and Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter (D) are also publicly supporting Ms. Dean. 
 
The main contender appears to be former US Rep. Joe Hoeffel (D-Montgomery County), who jumped into the race in the latter stages of the filing period and early polling reveals leads the multi-candidate field.  Now in a three-way race, with gun control activist Shira Goodman being the additional candidate, the contest is clearly coming down to Dean and Hoeffel.  Ms. Daley’s departure makes this primary more interesting and creates doubt about the eventual outcome.

--Jim Ellis