Remainders: 867-5309/Jenny, Don’t Change Your Number

• #FLgov: Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla, is mulling a gubernatorial run in 2014.
• #PA13: This blog premiered a new series, “The Candidate,” that questions the scores of congressional hopefuls who visit the CQ Roll Call offices each cycle. The first victim? State Sen. Daylin Leach, a Democrat running in a crowded primary for Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz’s seat.
• Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Steve Israel touted his recruits in a memo to his caucus. Notably missing? Former Rep. Joe Baca, D-Calif., who is trying to come back to Congress via the 31st District.
• #GAsen: Former Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, endorsed Rep. Paul Broun in the GOP primary to succeed retiring Republican Sen. Saxby Chambliss.
• #HIsen: Tensions from the 2008 Democratic presidential primary continue through the 2014 Senate primary. Several years ago, appointed Sen. Brian Schatz backed now-President Barack Obama and Rep. Colleen Hanabusa supported Hillary Rodham Clinton. Could Bubba or Obama campaign in the Aloha State first?

What we’re mulling on Thursday …

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Daylin Leach Talks Marijuana, Progressive Politics and Rock #PA13 | The Candidate

Leach is running for Congress in Pennsylvania's 13th. (Douglas Graham/CQ Roll Call)

Editor’s note: Every year, scores of congressional candidates visit the CQ Roll Call offices to meet with reporters and Contributing Writer Stuart Rothenberg. This new blog feature, “The Candidate,” will ask these congressional hopefuls five questions about their campaigns. Responses have been edited and condensed.

Have a question for a candidate? We’ll announce their visits via Twitter, and you can tweet your inquiry to @RollCall or email politics@cqrollcall.com.

The candidate: State Sen. Daylin Leach, a Democrat.
The other candidates: State Rep. Brendan Boyle and Valerie A. Arkoosh, a medical professor at the University of Pennsylvania. Additionally, former Rep. Marjorie Margolies-Mezvinsky, who represented part of that district two decades ago, is also considering a campaign.
The member: Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz, a Democrat running for governor.
The district: Solidly Democratic 13th District in southeastern Pennsylvania.
The candidate’s team: Senior Adviser Aren Platt, Vanessa Gervasi DeRose (fundraising), Dan Fee of The Echo Group (mail), Devine Mulvey Longabaugh (media) and Marc Silverman of Thirty-Ninth Street Strategies (polling).

1. You live in a part of Upper Merion that is just outside the 13th District’s boundaries. Will you move into the district?

Leach: We’re discussing that. This is the issue: I told you I went to eight elementary schools and I lived in 14 residences. I always wanted my children to have a house that they grew up in. We live like six houses from the district. I have to consult with my family about this. Full story

Pennsylvania: Schwartz Officially Enters Race for Governor

Schwartz will run for governor in 2014. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz, D-Pa., has officially entered the race for governor, filing paperwork Monday to run against GOP Gov. Tom Corbett.

If Schwartz wins a contested Democratic primary and topples Corbett later in 2014, the five-term congresswoman would be the Keystone State’s first female governor.

“I’m running to be governor, not the ‘first woman’ governor,” Schwartz told the Philadelphia Inquirer. “But the fact that I am the only woman in the congressional delegation and in a senior policymaking role means people know I can beat the odds. I have brought a different perspective. … It does change the dynamic.”

(Which other members of Congress are running for another office or retiring in 2014? See Roll Call’s Casualty List.) Full story

Pennsylvania: Democrats Continue to Line Up for Schwartz Seat

It’s quickly getting crowded in the Democratic primary to replace Pennsylvania Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz — and she hasn’t even officially announced her campaign for governor yet.

But state Rep. Brendan Boyle announced his candidacy for her House seat on Monday, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer.

He joins at least two other Democrats already running for the 13th District in suburban Philadelphia: Valerie A. Arkoosh, a medical professor at the University of Pennsylvania, and state Sen. Daylin Leach previously announced their campaigns. Full story

Pennsylvania: Leach Announces Candidacy for Schwartz’s Seat

State Sen. Daylin Leach launched his campaign Tuesday for the seat being vacated by Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz, who has indicated she will run for governor of Pennsylvania.

“For the last several weeks,” Leach, a Democrat, said in a statement, “I have been talking with voters, community leaders, elected officials, representatives from advocacy groups and progressive organizations, and many others from Philadelphia and Montgomery County, and found overwhelming support for my candidacy.”

There will likely be a crowded primary field for the open 13th District, a safe Democratic district based mostly north of Philadelphia. Leach is the third candidate to take formal steps to enter the race — although he is the first to formally announce a campaign.

Last month, Valerie A. Arkoosh, a medical professor at the University of Pennsylvania, filed paperwork for her candidacy. Former Philadelphia City Controller Jonathan Saidel followed with his own paperwork to run at the end of March. Full story

Pennsylvania: Democrat Files to Run For Schwartz Seat

University of Pennsylvania medical professor Dr. Valeria A. Arkoosh filed a statement of candidacy to run in what will most likely be an open race for Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz’s 13th District seat.

Schwartz has all but announced her campaign to challenge Republican Gov. Tom Corbett, in 2014. Last month, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee replaced her as committee’s national finance chair.

Arkoosh was not immediately available for comment. But PoliticsPA, a Keystone State political blog, noted Arkoosh is a Schwartz ally and her husband is the congresswoman’s campaign treasurer.

Schwartz’s suburban Philadelphia district will likely attract several Democratic candidates once it officially becomes an open seat. Schwartz won re-election in 2012 by more than 37 points. Her successor would likely be determined in the Democratic primary.

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Pennsylvania: Schwartz for Governor?

It's no secret Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz has statewide ambitions. She could run for governor in 2014 or for Senate in 2016. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz made waves Friday morning by picking up a new finance director with statewide experience. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported the Democratic lawmaker’s hire of Aubrey Montgomery fuels speculation she’s looking at running for governor of Pennsylvania in 2014.

Schwartz has long been discussed as a potential statewide candidate, although sources say she’s eyeing a challenge to Sen. Patrick J. Toomey, R-Pa., in 2016. She’s ascended the House leadership ladder, taking a prominent role as the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s recruitment chairwoman last cycle.

But the Congresswoman’s top aide did nothing to tamp down the gubernatorial speculation when asked about Schwartz’s political future.

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Pennsylvania: GOP Leaders Threaten to Move Primary Date

Chaos over the state legislative redistricting maps might delay Pennsylvania’s April 24 primary — a move that would effect Congressional and presidential races, too.

A later primary would give the Keystone State less prominence on the presidential nominating calendar, as well as influence several House contests, including the high-profile primary between Democratic Reps. Jason Altmire and Mark Critz in the redrawn 12th district.

Earlier this month, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ordered a state redistricting commission to redraw its controversial proposal for the legislative districts. But there’s growing concern the state Legislative Reapportionment Commission will not have enough time to pass new maps.

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