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Margolies to run for Congress, attempt comeback

Democratic Marjorie Margolies is seeking the 13th district U.S. House seat she held for one term in the early 1990s.

Marjorie Margolies plans to file a statement of candidacy Thursday for the 13th District U.S. House seat that she held for one term in the early 1990s, sources close to the former congresswoman said.

Then-Rep. Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky cast the deciding vote to enact President Bill Clinton's economic plan, which increased taxes $241 billion. Much of the burden fell on wealthy taxpayers, but there was also a hike in the gas tax, and she had promised in her 1992 campaign to oppose tax increases.

Margolies, 70, who now heads Women's Campaign International, which develops female political leaders in emerging democracies, and teaches government at the University of Pennsylvania, has always defended her reluctant vote as the right thing to do. (She resumed her maiden name after a divorce.)

She has deep ties to the Clintons. Maroglies is Chelsea Clinton's mother-in-law. Her son, Marc Mezvinsky married the former first daughter in 2010.

The seat, with the district redrawn considerably since Margolies' term, is coming open because incumbent U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz, is running for governor and will not seek reelection.

Several Democrats have already announced for the seat or are exploring the race: State Sen. Daylin Leach, physician Valerie Arkoosh, and state Rep. Brendan Boyle.