A rush to bipartisanism amid a few intra-party battles

Is getting along to get ahead back in fashion? By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Let’s face it, bipartisanism is the new black. If you listened to a lot of political types in Chester County this past week, candidates and elected officials across the political spectrum were working to show their ability to make nice with the other side. But roiling below the surface are a handful of intra-party battles...

Houghton announces bid to take on Pitts

London Grove Democrat cites his record on agriculture, bi-partisanship By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Former State Representative Tom Houghton makes a point about his record of working across the aisle, in announcing Monday that he would take on veteran U.S. Rep Joe Pitts in the race for the 16th District Congressional seat. WEST HEMPFIELD — In a frosty Lancaster barn full of hay, former State...

It’s official: Costello will run for 6th seat

Sitting County Commissioner announces run for Congress By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Ryan Costello Chester County Commissioner Ryan Costello announced formally, Wednesday morning, that he would seek the 6th Congressional District seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach. The West Chester Republican faces a somewhat less complicated run to the Republican nomination after yesterday’s announcement...

Costello-DiGiorgio battle could have wide-ranging impact

Gerlach’s decision not to seek reelection touches off primary fight By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times That shattering and creaking sound you heard this week wasn’t from the extreme cold (unless you were near my nearly half-century old bones), but what would appear to be the shattering of a fragile unity among Chester County Republicans. When Jim Gerlach announced Monday that he would not seek...

Gerlach won’t run in 2014

Seven-term Congressman cites family needs By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach. U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach (R-6) announced Monday that he would not seek a seventh term in the U.S. House of Representatives. The move comes as a bit of a surprise — just two years after redistricting made the Sixth a more Republican-friendly district and will suddenly open the field to a number of local...

Lewis wants to unite in run for 74th

Seeks broad coalition to support his campaign By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Harry Lewis Jr. addresses supporters Wednesday night in declaring his candidacy for State Representative. COATESVILLE — Amidst a crowded room filled with supporters, friends, former colleagues and students, Harry Lewis Jr. said Wednesday night it would take a broad coalition supporting him for him to be elected as State...

Young announces run for 74th District House seat

First to declare candidacy in what could be a crowded field for 2014 By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Joshua Young CALN — Township Commissioner Joshua Young became the first declared candidate for the new 74th District State House seat in 2014, announcing his candidacy, Tuesday afternoon. Young, a Democrat who just won reelection to a third term  as Township Commissioner, describes himself as...

And…right back into campaign season

No rest for the weary, as Election 2014 kicks into high gear, already By Mike McGann, Editor, The Times Now that we’ve gotten that pesky election out of the way, it’s time for the campaign to get started. Think I’m kidding? Then why is Gov. Tom Corbett in the county today, kicking off his 2014 campaign? And why has the jostling for state legislative and congressional seats already begun? Traditionally,...