Chris Hobbs officially declared his candidacy in the 29th Senatorial District Tuesday, widening the field of those seeking the GOP nomination to three candidates.
House Minority Whip David Argall (R-Schuylkill County) and Pottsville lawyer Gretchen Sterns are the two other candidates for the nomination.
Hobbs, son-in-law to the late state Sen. Jim Rhoades (R-Schuylkill County), positioned himself as the best candidate to continue the senator's legacy.
"I did not expect to be here today, but the loss of my father-in-law has resulted in a need for a candidate that shares his commitment to the ideals Jim Rhoades exhibited in his illustrious 28-year career serving our area, and I can make that commitment," he said in a press release issued Tuesday.
Rhoades will killed in a car accident in October. Hobbs is married to his daughter, Ali.
Although Rhoades was largely seen as an invulnerable incumbent in the sprawling, six-county district lying between Dauphin County and the Lehigh Valley, Republicans and Democrats agree the special election will likely be a competitive race. Even the race for the GOP nomination is expected to be competitive among the three candidates.
Hobbs told PolitickerPA.com last week that he was "strongly interested" in the position but had not officially declared until Tuesday. Sterns and Argall declared last week.
Post new comment