Fattah's trial has been set: May 2 - six days after next year's primary

He faces a federal racketeering indictment that threatens to end his political career, but U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah won't have to win over a jury until after he learns whether he has beaten challengers for his seat in next year's Democratic primary.

A federal judge has scheduled the Philadelphia Democrat's trial to begin May 2, six days after the April 26 primary.

Prosecutors this month asked the judge for the delay, citing the "voluminous" evidence defense lawyers will have to review before trial.

Government lawyers typically have 70 days after a defendant's first court appearance to prepare a case for trial.

But in Fattah's case, lawyers will have to review more than 600,000 pages of bank records, witness statements, grand jury testimony, and transcripts of tape-recorded conversations beforehand, prosecutor Eric L. Gibson said in recent court filings.

Lawyers for the congressman - Kevin V. Mincey and Thomas O. Fitzpatrick - did not oppose the delay.

Fattah, 58, is accused of misusing hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign funds, charitable donations, and federal grant money under his control to prop up his ailing 2007 mayoral campaign, and to enrich himself and political allies.

Four others - including Bonnie Bowser, chief of staff for the congressman's district office, and lobbyist and former Philadelphia Deputy Mayor Herbert Vederman - also have been charged. All have pleaded not guilty.

At a court hearing this week, Fattah brushed off the allegations, denying any wrongdoing while vowing to win a 12th term in office next year. His district includes parts of Philadelphia and portions of Montgomery County.

But potential rivals already have begun to circle. Dan Muroff, an East Mount Airy lawyer and the Ninth Ward's Democratic leader, declared his candidacy last week. Mayor Nutter, District Attorney Seth Williams, and State Sen. Vincent Hughes also have been named by party officials as potential contenders.

Fattah, however, remains bullish on his reelection chances.

"I'm never going to do anything that would embarrass them," he said of his constituents after his court appearance Tuesday. "The contract that I have with my community - the warranty is still good."