Fitzpatrick Looking Unlikely To Make Comeback Bid

It’s looking far less likely that former GOP Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick will be running again for Congress after narrowly losing to Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Pa.) last year.

Instead, the former congressman will be introducing Republican campaign officials tomorrow to Thomas Manion (R), the father of a Marine who lost his son in Iraq, as a prospective candidate for his old seat.

No GOP candidates have officially announced for the suburban Philadelphia seat, largely because they have been waiting for Fitzpatrick to publicly indicate his future plans. Republicans also looking at state Rep. Bernie O’Neill as a possible candidate.

Murphy is one of the best-financed House Democratic freshmen, after raising nearly $800,000 in the second quarter. The longer Republicans go without a candidate, the more difficult it will be for them to catch up with Murphy financially.

His suburban Philadelphia district leans Democratic, giving President Bush only 48 percent of the vote in 2004.