Lentz Announcement

Democratic State Representative Bryan R. Lentz announced his candidacy for Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District. Lentz hopes to succeed U.S. Congressman Joe Sestak who is challenging 28 year incumbent Arlen Specter for the Democratic nomination to the U. S. Senate.

“I’ve been an Airborne Ranger, I’ve been a prosecutor and I’ve been a legislator. I am prepared to be a Congressman” Lentz told a group of about 120 supporters inside American Legion Post #214 in Upper Darby.

According to Politics PA, Lentz is the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination and will likely face former U. S. attorney Pat Meehan in the general election next fall. E. Theresa Touey and Gail Conner are also seeking the Democratic nomination. Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District covers most of Delaware County and has significant portions of Chester and Montgomery counties.

Lentz has been fundraising for some time and has raised more than $250,000 leading all candidates.

At 9:00 a.m. people began filing into the hall. Inside three volunteers were asking that everyone who entered sign in. The crowd contained a diverse group of Lentz supporters including some of Lentz’s neighbors from Swarthmore and politicians like State Sen. Daylin Leach D-17.

The T.V. cameras had staked out their spot in the center of the hardwood floors just behind the 5 rows of black folding chairs. The rest of the attendees stood smiling as they waited for the announcement.

“I’m so excited for this,” Betty Tapera of Radnor said. “I’ve been making calls for Bryan since his first race and all I hear from people is how good he is with his constituents.”

The program begins with US Army Lt. Col. Mark Busbee recounting a story about calling Lentz in need of a commander to lead a company in Iraq. “He said count me in,” Busbee told the crowd. “He never said let me think about it or let me get my affairs in order. In fact, he didn’t ask any questions about the mission at all.”

The next speaker was Jennifer Lentz, the Representatives wife, who read a letter from Lisa Pezick, one of Lentz’s constituents. The letter thanked Lentz for helping her family find a way to pay for her daughter’s orthodontic surgery. Jennifer Lentz told the audience that The Pezick family was unable to attend because today was their daughter’s surgical checkup.

At about 10:15 a.m. Lentz himself took to the podium, sharing his entrance with Thomas his newborn son. He described his experiences from his first days in the U. S. Army in 1986 at the age of 22 to his time working as a prosecutor in Philadelphia.

“I took that experience into the courtroom where I represented the victims of crimes for six years as a prosecutor.” Lentz said. “I prosecuted personally hundreds of cases and led a crackdown on gang violence.”

After telling the details of his life experience Lentz referred to the upcoming contest. “If you elect me to congress I will show you once again that I know what it means to put service over self and I know what it means to fight for the people I represent” he declared.

Once he completed his remarks Lentz circled the room shaking hands and greeting his supporters.

“The three counties are going to be pleasantly surprised if they elect Bryan because he is definitely the right man for the job” Lt. Col. Busbee said.


Watch Lentz announcement: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwqTwQPYKKk