Swann’s way

Former Pittsburgh Steelers great Lynn Swann gained only 40 percent of the vote when he ran for governor of Pennsylvania last year. However in the Pennsylvania’s fourth congressional district, located in the Pittsburgh area, he outpolled his Democratic opponent with a 52 percent share. Meanwhile, the incumbent Republican representative in that district, Melissa Hart, went down to defeat. Democrat Jason Altmire won with 52 percent of the vote. Altmire also has football credentials — he was a member of the Florida State team.
Salena Zito in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that Swann is considering running for the Fourth District seat. Former Representative Hart says she may try to win the seat back, so if Swann enters the race the two may face off.
Larry Sabato says a Swann-Altmire race would be very competitive. He notes that Swann “has high name ID and the ability to raise a good deal of money.” Swann’s strong showing in the district last year, in a campaign where he spent little money in the Pittsburgh market, suggests that Sabato is correct.
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