Schwartz Admits It: She's Going for Governor

She admitted it. Allyson Schwartz told the Philadelphia Daily News "It is my intention" to run for governor against incumbent Gov. Tom Corbett. After months of speculating such, it is nearing the stages of being totally official.

Schwartz, who currently serves as the U.S. Representative for the 13th District, which encompasses much of Montgomery County, said she plans to throw her hat into the ring for the 2014 race.

The rep told USA Today that she is dissappointed in Corbett's term due to the "lack of leadership, vision and effectiveness of this governor." As Patch reported in February, the decision may make the county a hotbed for the future governor's race. As it stands, Bruce Castor, who serves as the minority Republican commissioner for Montgomery County, has yet to make it official but has hinted in past interviews that his interest level is "up to the ankles." 

Philly.com had reported Wednesday that Schwartz stepped down from her role "as national finance chairwoman of the Demcoratic Congressional Campaign Committee for the 2014 midterm cycle," which would be a step toward taking the race on. Schwartz could not both serve on that committee and run for governor, leading many to speculate earlier this week that she was nearing the announcement.

The representative already has a fan-based page created entitled "allysonschwartzforgovernor.com."

TheHill.com said Schwartz could make a solid competitor for Corbett come 2014.

"The congresswoman has a deep national fundraising network, built partly by her work with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and is close to both House leadership and national liberal groups," said the political website. "Polls show Corbett is very vulnerable in the Democratic-leaning state. He has low approval ratings, and a recent partisan poll conducted for the Democratic Governors Association showed Schwartz ahead."