Lentz launches campaign for 7th Congressional District

State Rep. Bryan Lentz today opened his campaign for the Democratic nomination to represent Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House, pledging to "stand up against powerful interests and stand on the side of regular people."

Lentz, an Army Airborne veteran of Bosnia and Iraq and a former assistant prosecutor in Philadelphia, is seen as the front-runner in the race to try to keep the traditionally Republican seat in Democratic hands. Incumbent U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak (D., Pa.) is challenging Sen. Arlen Specter (D., Pa.) in the primary.

Lentz announced his campaign in an American Legion Hall in Upper Darby, cheered on by about 125 supporters.

Whoever wins the nomination to succeed Sestak will face the all-but-certain Republican nominee, former U.S. Attorney Patrick Meehan, who was also the Delaware County prosecutor. Both national parties are targeting the race in the 7th, a swing district dominated by Delaware County that also includes territory in Montgomery and Chester counties.

Lentz has reported raising more than $250,000, and has sewed up the endorsements of more than 70 local elected Democrats and party officials. The Delaware County AFL-CIO also is backing him.

In 2006, Lentz narrowly defeated a 28-year GOP incumbent for his state House seat in 2006, and was reelected handily last year.

Several other Democrats are in the mix for the May primary. On Tuesday, environmental lawyer Gail Conner, based in Newtown Square, announced her candidacy. She also was a 2008 Democratic convention delegate for President Obama. Political consultant E. Teresa Touey is also running in the primary, and longtime Democratic state Rep. Greg Vitali of Haverford Township also is thinking about the race.