The worst kept secret in Bucks County politics was confirmed to LevittownNow.com on Thursday.
Brian Fitzpatrick, Republican Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick’s recently retired FBI agent brother, will be stepping into the race for his brother’s congressional seat.
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Brian Fitzpatrick will announce his run Thursday evening during a Bucks County Republican Committee candidate screening in Doylestown, according to sources close to the county GOP.
“We all figured it. Now we know, at least it sounds like it’s happening,” one GOP insider said Thursday around lunchtime.
The Philadelphia Inquirer and PoliticsPA.com have reported on the rumor over the past few weeks. The Inquirer on Thursday said Republican state chairman Rob Gleason confirmed hearing of Brian Fitzpatrick’s candidacy.
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The congressman’s brother recently retired from the FBI and moved back to the area. He was raised in Middletown’s Levittown section.
Fellow Republican Congressional Andy Warren, a resident of Middletown, told LevittownNow.com that it was his understanding that Fitzpatrick was entering the race.
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“I know he has made the calls and says he will be screening,” Warren said.
Up until this month, the county GOP has shown support for State Rep. Scott Petri’s candidacy. Sources have said even the national Republican party has been interested in backing Petri, who lives in Upper Makefield.
So far, Petri, Doylestown attorney Dean Maik and Warren are the only other announced Republican candidates. The Democrats are running State Rep. Steve Santarsiero of Lower Makefield and Upper Bucks County business person Shaughnessy Naughton.
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The Eighth District congressional race is expected to gain national attention this year.
