Wolf backs state rep. in Bucks congressional race

Gov. Wolf endorsed State Rep. Steve Santarsiero (D., Bucks) for Congress on Tuesday, taking sides in the competitive race for the Eighth District congressional seat.

"From standing up for women's reproductive rights to holding the gas drillers accountable, Steve Santarsiero is the proven progressive champion we need in Congress," Wolf said in a statement released by Santarsiero's campaign Tuesday.

With no incumbent, the contest is heated for the seat representing all of Bucks County and a portion of northern Montgomery County. Mike Fitzpatrick, a Republican, has held the seat for four nonconsecutive terms. He announced in 2014 that he would not seek reelection.

Santarsiero is competing for the Democratic nomination with Shaughnessy Naughton, who ran for the same office in 2014. Former Gov. Ed Rendell has backed Naughton, who said Tuesday she was proud to have that endorsement. Republicans running are Brian Fitzpatrick, brother of Mike Fitzpatrick and a former FBI agent; State Rep. Scott Petri; former Bucks County Commissioner Andy Warren; and neuropsychologist Marc Duome.

- Justine McDaniel