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Eighth District race heats up in Bucks

BUCKS COUNTY Eighth District race heats up LOWER MAKEFIELD Bucks County's 2016 congressional election is 19 months away, but developments in the race are unfolding quickly.

BUCKS COUNTY

Eighth District race heats up

LOWER MAKEFIELD Bucks County's 2016 congressional election is 19 months away, but developments in the race are unfolding quickly.

Just hours after local businesswoman Shaughnessy Naughton announced Thursday that she intends to seek the Democratic nomination for the Eighth District next year, State Rep. Steve Santarsiero (D., Bucks), who had already announced his candidacy, released a statement that included support from two notable local Democrats - County Commissioner Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia and Det Ansinn, president of Doylestown's borough council.

Ansinn was one of Naughton's more vocal supporters during her run in 2014. In a statement, Ansinn said Naughton is "smart and capable, with a genuine passion for the environment and policy."

"That being said," Ansinn continued, "Steve Santarsiero is my candidate for 2016."

Naughton is being advised by former Gov. Ed Rendell, and said in an interview last month that she had been talking with several sitting members of Congress as well. She declined to name them.

No Republican has declared for the race yet, although State Rep. Gene DiGirolamo has said he is thinking about running. Incumbent Mike Fitzpatrick is stepping down due to a self-imposed term limit. - Chris Palmer