Fumo back surgery spurs rumors he might quit race

Facing the toughest re-election fight in his 30-year career, state Sen. Vincent Fumo will spend the next few weeks recuperating from back surgery.

Fumo underwent a surgical procedure known as lumbar fusion yesterday at Pennsylvania Hospital to correct a misalignment of his vertebrae, according to his Harrisburg spokesman, Gary Tuma.

It was Fumo's second back procedure in the last five months, both performed by Dr. William C. Welch, the hospital's chief of neurosurgery.

Tuma reported that the latest operation went smoothly but that Fumo's activities will be restricted for several weeks.

"I don't know that it's going to affect the campaign very much," Tuma said. "After several weeks, he should be back in action. In the meantime, his TV ads will continue. He's not bedridden, just somewhat restricted in his activities. I would say the same about his Senate duties."

Word of the operation spurred more speculation in political circles that Fumo, 64, might exit the Senate race.

Three challengers have filed to oppose him in the April 22 Democratic primary - John J. Dougherty, business manager of the electricians union; lawyer Lawrence M. Farnese Jr., and community activist Anne Dicker.

Whoever wins will face Republican Jack Morley in the fall. And Fumo will face an additional hurdle - a federal trial on corruption charges, scheduled for September.

People close to Fumo have been saying for weeks that he's in the Senate race to stay, that he wouldn't back away from a confrontation with Dougherty, a one-time ally turned bitter foe.

Asked yesterday if the back surgery might lead Fumo to leave the race, Tuma replied: "Not that I'm aware of. I received no indication in any conversation I had with him that that [withdrawal] would be the case." *