Montco's Shapiro endorses Margolies for Congress

Montgomery County Board of Commissioners Chairman Josh Shapiro, a rising star in state Democratic politics, on Sunday endorsed Marjorie Margolies' effort to reclaim the Pennsylvania congressional seat she lost two decades ago.

"We need more people in government with the courage of their conviction who can rise above the small politics of the moment and stand up and fight for what they believe in," Shapiro, 40, said in a statement. "Marjorie has demonstrated that she is that type of leader."

Margolies, 71, was in her first term representing the 13th District in 1993 when she cast the deciding vote for President Bill Clinton's economic package, which contained tax increases. She had promised not to vote for new taxes, and she lost her reelection campaign in 1994, the year Republicans took control of the House for the first time in a generation.

The 13th District seat is now held by U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz, a Democrat running for governor. An impending vacancy in the district has touched off a ferocious four-way primary scramble among Democrats. After two rounds of redistricting, it is solid Democratic territory.

"This is a very big day for my campaign and for me personally," Margolies said. "Josh was one of the first calls I made when I entered this race. I told him then that I would try to work hard every day to be the kind of candidate he would be proud to endorse."

Shapiro was elected in 2011 with the most votes ever of any Montgomery County Board of Commissioners candidate. Political insiders say he has set his sights on running for governor, U.S. Senate, or Congress.

State Sen. Daylin Leach of Montgomery County, a favorite of the party's liberal wing, and State Rep. Brendan Boyle of Northeast Philadelphia, with a base of organized labor support - as well as Montgomery County physician Val Arkoosh - are running for the Democratic nomination in the 13th District, which contains parts of the county and the city.

Margolies, whose son, Mark Mezvinsky, is married to Chelsea Clinton, touts her powerful national connections as a potential asset for the district.

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