Pa. suburbs are ablaze with political combat

[bronxiteforever]

For the first time in decades - 140 years, in Montgomery County's case - Democrats have a good chance to seize majority control of one or more county governments.

The Montgomery County Democratic candidates for commissioner - incumbent Commissioner Ruth Damsker and former commissioner and U.S. Rep. Joe Hoeffel - have attacked what they said was an improper no-bid contract for medical lab services; a lobbying contract given to a Republican insider; the appointment of outgoing Commissioner Tom Ellis to represent the county on the Blue Cross Board; and alleged sloppy oversight of construction projects.

They also accused an aide in District Attorney Bruce Castor's office of illegal fund-raising, although she was later cleared by the state attorney general. Castor, a Republican with a high favorability rating in his current job as prosecutor, is running with Matthews.

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