Castor for Congress

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/news/local/12192453.htm

Castor considering Congress

The Republican district attorney said he may run for the 13th District seat held by Allyson Schwartz.By Marc Schogol and Jeff ShieldsInquirer Staff Writers
With the prospects of running for governor dim, Montgomery County District Attorney Bruce L. Castor Jr. is considering a race for Congress.
Republican Party leaders are urging Castor to make a run at retaking the historically Republican 13th District seat now held by freshman Democrat Allyson Y. Schwartz.
After meeting last week with Republican congressional leaders in Washington - including House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert - Castor confirmed yesterday that he is pondering a congressional run but that he has reservations.
"It would be a big change for me," he said, adding that he doesn't know whether he wants to spend that much time away from his family. "I'll have to speak with my wife."
Plus, he said, it will be tough to unseat Democrat Schwartz with Democrat Gov. Rendell running at the top of the ticket. "I don't doubt that I could put on a good showing," he said, "but I'm unsure if that's what I want to do."
Montgomery County Republican Chairman Ken Davis said that the race would be very competitive, but that he believed "Bruce would be successful if he ran."
Castor has said he's been sounded out about running for governor next year. But Davis said there are a number of other Republican gubernatorial aspirants, while "the path is clearer if he wanted to go for Congress."
Although Castor had challenged and criticized some powerful Republicans when he ran against the endorsed candidate for state attorney general last year, Davis said he's been doing some fence-mending.
The main target of those attacks, Republican national committeeman Bob Asher, said yesterday that "if Mr. Castor decides to run for Congress, I have every intention of supporting him."
In the post-2000 Census redistricting, the 13th was redrawn to include a portion of Northeast Philadelphia. When incumbent Democrat Joe Hoeffel, who had captured the seat from the Republicans, decided to make what proved to be an unsuccessful challenge to U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter (R., Pa.) last year, Schwartz, a veteran Philadelphia state senator, handily won the seat.
About the possibility of facing Castor next year, Schwartz's chief of staff, Daniel McElhatton, said her standing in the district had only gotten stronger.
"In just six months, she's really proved herself in Washington," McElhatton said. "She's already demonstrated the ability to deliver for the folks of the 13th District."
Contact staff writer Marc Schogol at 610-313-8112, or mschogol@phillynews.com.