It was just last week when word broke that powerful Delco Pa. Sen. Dominic Pileggi was mulling a run for the GOP nod to challenge incumbent U.S. Sen. Robert P. Casey Jr.
Pileggi said he had been approached by several Republican groups, adding that he was troubled by the direction of the country and would carefully think over his options.
It didn’t take him long.
We broke the story yesterday morning. Pileggi is ruling out a run. You can read the story here.
The former mayor of Chester declined to talk about his decision, saying only this in a statement posted to his Facebook page and Twitter account: “After a great deal of careful consideration, I have decided not to enter the race for the Untied State Senate. I will continue to focus on my service as Senate Majority leader, working for positive change in state government.”
That’s too bad, for a lot of reasons.
I’m selfish, of course. Pileggi facing off against Casey would have been a big story for us, on a par with Joe Sestak tangling with Arlen Specter. It would have marked the second straight race for a U.S. Senate from Pennsylvania in which one of the candidates hails from right here in Delco.
Pileggi likely has his hands full in Harrisburg. He’s already at the center of a battle over changing the way electoral college votes are counted, as well as the redistricting fight. He also has to shepherd Gov. Tom Corbett’s efforts – including a new push for schoool vouchers – through the mine field that is the state Legislature.
I still wish he would have run. I like Pileggi. I find him that rare politician with vision who actually thinks about what he is doing and the ramifications.
I guess now I will have to hope that he leads the charge for my pet crusade, getting Pennsylvania out of the booze business by selling off the state stores. While he’s at it, I wouldn’t mind being able to buy a six-pack or case of beer, along with wine and spirits, all in one aisle of my favorite grocery store.
Listening, senator?
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