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Dinniman to endorse Trivedi in PA-6

State Senator Andrew Dinniman (D-Chester) is set to back Manan Trivedi for Congress in the 6th District, giving Trivedi a powerful local ally in his insurgent bid against early primary front-runner Doug Pike.

Dinniman will throw his support to the Reading physician during an endorsement party later this month at the home of Bob Roggio, the Democratic candidate who lost in the district last year and is also backing Trivedi, according to an invitation obtained by pa2010.com. But unlike Roggio, Dinniman is a longtime elected official in Chester County with a significant political following, making him Trivedi’s most valuable supporter to date.

“I think Andy Dinniman is probably one of the most well-liked and influential politicians in Chester County,” Roggio said.

In a brief interview Wednesday, Dinniman said that Trivedi’s life story, his experience in the health care sector and his perceived ability to win in a general election all contributed to his endorsement.

“Here you have a person who grew up in this area, who is a hero with the marines, and a person who understands so well the problems in health care,” Dinniman said. “I just felt this was a compelling story.”

Dinniman also noted that Trivedi hails from Berks County, where Democrats have historically lost the district.

“Remember, if you look at the history of votes in this district, you need a person who has a connection and ability to win Chester and Berks counties,” he said.

Much of the Democratic establishment remains firmly behind Pike, a wealthy former editorial writer at The Inquirer. Incumbent members of Congress have endorsed and contributed to his campaign, and he is seen as having the implicit backing of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. He got an early head start in building a campaign, and with the significant money he is pouring into his own candidacy, he is still widely perceived as the favorite.

But Dinniman’s endorsement is just the latest sign that local Democrats are enthusiastic about Trivedi’s candidacy. At least one party insider who had endorsed previously supported Pike walked back his endorsement when Trivedi entered the race, and rumors abound that more insiders might soon follow his lead. Trivedi also won the endorsement for former state Senator Connie Williams, a powerful presence in Montgomery County politics.

The endorsement party is scheduled for Nov. 15.

“We have a great opportunity in reclaiming the PA 6 in Manan Trivedi,” Dinniman says in the invitation. “His knowledge, his service to his community and country, both as a physician and an Iraq War veteran, have prepared him well for the halls of Congress.”

Whoever wins the Democratic primary will face the winner of a crowded GOP contest, with Democrats looking to capture the seat for the first time since it was drawn in redistricting earlier this decade.

•Earlier on pa2010.com: In PA-6, a Dem primary that wasn’t now emerges

November 5, 2009 at 6:00 am

--Dan Hirschhorn

Tags: Andrew Dinniman, Doug Pike, Manan Trivedi, PA-6

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