(Pa) Rep. Conor Lamb preparing to launch Senate run in August

[left-of-center2012]

Rep. Conor Lamb is expected to launch a Senate campaign in August, according to three sources familiar with the Pennsylvania Democrat’s decision. Two sources said Lamb is planning a campaign event Aug. 6 at an International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union hall in Pittsburgh, with one source noting that’s where the congressman is expected to announce his Senate run. Lamb’s campaign did not respond to requests for comment.

Lamb, a Marine veteran and former prosecutor, will join a crowded primary field seeking to replace retiring GOP Sen. Patrick J. Toomey. Lamb would likely be the most moderate Democrat in the race, as he’s known for a willingness to buck his party and work across the aisle. However, Lamb has been more likely of late to vote with a majority of Democrats on votes that split the parties.

Lamb’s entry into the race also intensifies a geographic divide in the Democratic primary, with both Lamb and Lt. Gov. John Fetterman hailing from Western Pennsylvania. Two other candidates, state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta and Val Arkoosh, who chairs the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, are based in the Philadelphia area in southeastern Pennsylvania, as is state Sen. Sharif Street, who is considering a Senate run.

Lamb brings a high profile and a strong fundraising ability to the primary. His House campaign raised $978,000 from April through June, according to Federal Election Commission filings. But he still trailed Fetterman, who raised $2.5 million in the second quarter.

https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/rep-conor-lamb-preparing-to-launch-senate-run-in-august/

[Casady1]

1. Best candidate

He can win statewide.

[Budi]

3. Yup & Dems need that Senate seat! Lamb can give us a certain win

[Budi]

2. K & R Absolutely!

Stating right now that Fetterman's baggage is a serious issue and no matter how he downplays & spins it, that fact is, in our current environment it will continue to resurface.

Only thing with Connor Lamb is the seat he leaves open by this decision...

[Deminpenn]

7. Lamb's seat will likely be the 1 lost during redistricting as

PA will lose 1 congressional seat.

[Baked Potato]

4. He's a good candidate. We sent money to him in his House run. Nt

[LetMyPeopleVote]

5. I like Connor Lamb

[Deminpenn]

6. He has zero chance

No one in eastern PA knows who he is for starters. Secondly, Fetterman's going to sop up all the western PA votes. Will just note that when Bernie Sanders ran here against HRC, he won Beaver county - a large part of Lamb's district. Tells me the Dem primary voters are much more left/progressive than Lamb and will prefer Fetterman.

[spinbaby]

8. They're both good choices

I’m in western PA and am torn between the two candidates. I think Lamb probably has broader appeal in the general election, but I really, really like Fetterman.

[Deminpenn]

9. I'm not torn at all, Fetterman's it

and I'm one of Lamb's constituents.

Conor Lamb has little to no appeal to the Dem base. He has no name recognition outside of Allegheny County and parts of SW Pa. Republicans aren't going to vote for Lamb and he doesn't appeal to the progressive base at all.

Conor Lamb would be a younger version of Joe Manchin. No thanks.

Never forget that Bernie Sanders beat Hillary Clinton in many of the "red" counties in PA in 2016 in the Dem primary.

Here's how I see the primary playing out. Fetterman will win western PA pretty easily. Kenyatta and Val Arkoosh and Shariff Street might cancel themselves out in Phila/SE Pa. Fetterman's from York and his populist message will play well in the "T" just as it did for Sanders. I honestly don't see any constituency for Lamb. I see Fetterman winning with a plurality if not outright majority.

[elleng]

10. Will be interesting to watch how this works out,

seeing what a majority of Pennsylvanians want, FIRST the Dems (in primary.)

I like both candidates (I live in MD,) but/am aware of possible 'issues' for progressives in 'non-progressive' areas; Pennsylvania's getting odder and odder, isn't it?

AND think about this 'discussion:'

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100215709650