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Castor withdraws state Senate bid

Montgomery County Commissioner Bruce L. Castor Jr. isn't running for state Senate this year, after all.

Montgomery County Commissioner Bruce L. Castor Jr. isn't running for state Senate this year, after all.

In an e-mailed news release this afternoon, Castor announced he was no longer in contention for the Republican nomination in a special election to replace departing Sen. Rob Wonderling (R, Montgomery), who is stepping down to head the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.

Castor had previously been competing with others including state Rep. Bob Mensch and former state Rep. Jay Moyer for the Republican nomination, which is to be decided by a consortium of Republican leaders from Montgomery, Bucks, Northampton and Lehigh Counties.

In his statement, Castor said he is too concerned about the state of Montgomery County's finances to consider departing for the state Senate.

"I believe the best way I can serve the citizens is to remain a commissioner and a vocal critic of the policies that have led us to this point while offering my own suggestions on a better way to govern Montgomery County," wrote Castor, who was a popular two-term district attorney in the county before becoming commissioner in 2008.

Contact staff writer Derrick Nunnally at 610-313-8212 or dnunnally@phillynews.com.

For a profile of Bruce Castor published in June, visit http://www.philly.com/inquirer/home_top_stories/49414892.html?cmpid=15585797.