PA-08: Fitzpatrick to Seek Rematch Against Murphy

From the Allentown Morning Call:

Former Bucks County Republican Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick plans to announce before the end of the month his intention to reclaim the 8th district seat that he narrowly lost in 2006 to Democrat Patrick Murphy, a source close to the local Republican party confirmed.

Fitzpatrick, who was diagnosed with colon cancer in June 2008, has reportedly been consulting with doctors about running for re-election this year.

“His health is good and his passion is high and he’s ready to reclaim his seat,” the source said Friday.

Murphy had managed to escape a serious challenge so far — one of the rare Democrats in a competitive district to do so — but Fitzpatrick is probably about as strong a candidate as Republicans can hope to run here. Despite the district’s small Democratic lean (Obama won this district by nine points, up from John Kerry’s 3% win in 2004), this will be a non-trivial race.

RaceTracker Wiki: PA-08