Ex-Rep. Fitzpatrick running for state House seat in Bucks

Former U.S. Rep. Michael Fitzpatrick, a Republican who lost his seat to Iraq war veteran Patrick Murphy in 2006, said yesterday that he would run for the state legislature this year.

Fitzpatrick said he would seek the 142d District seat held by first-term Rep. Chris King, a Democrat.

Fitzpatrick has been practicing law since he was defeated by Democratic challenger Murphy in 2006. Murphy is being challenged this year by Republican Tom Manion, whose son was killed in Iraq. Murphy opposes the war in Iraq and Manion supports it.

County GOP chairman Harry W. Fawkes said Fitzpatrick's 2006 defeat discouraged him from another congressional run.

"It gets tough. He did win Bucks County, but when we got to Philadelphia, that's where he lost," he said.

Fawkes said Fitzpatrick had been thinking about running for the state seat for some time.

"The vacancy's there, he lives in that area and is well-liked, so he thought he would see what happens," he said.

Another incentive for Fitzpatrick, Fawkes said, was that he could continue to practice law if elected.

The 142d District covers much of Lower Southampton and Middletown Townships and the boroughs of Hulmeville, Langhorne, Langhorne Manor and Penndel.

Fitzpatrick, a father of six, is a former Eagle Scout from Levittown and Bishop Egan High School saxophone player. He spent 10 years as a Bucks County commissioner before winning the Eighth Congressional District seat for one term.