Though he hasn't conceded a loss to Democrat Conor Lamb in the 18th Congressional District, Republican Rick Saccone has officially secured the number of petitions needed to run in the newly-redrawn 14th District, his campaign announced Monday.
In what his camp is calling a "fresh start," the state representative will run this time in a district even friendlier to Republicans, redrawn by the state Supreme Court and likely to go into effect starting in the May primary.
The U.S. House seat will be concentrated in Greene, Washington and Westmoreland counties, just like the current 18th, except without the swath of Allegheny County that will be drawn into a new district. It's an area that President Donald Trump won by 25 points in November 2016.
Mr. Saccone's campaign made it clear that he hasn't given up on the 18th district, and that he is simply preparing for his political future.
"Mr. Saccone is waiting for all of the votes to be counted in PA18," said Bob Branstetter, a top Saccone aide. "After the Pennsylvania Supreme Court changed the congressional district lines, Mr. Saccone decided that he would be running in PA14. Mr Lamb is following a similar path, circulating petitions in PA17."
The field for the 14th isn't cramped just yet. State Sen. Guy Reschenthaler, whom Mr. Saccone beat out for the Republican nomination in the 18th, is weighing a bid, joining Democrats Tom Prigg and Bob Solomon, who have already publicized their intentions.
Candidates for the House are required to submit their filing petitions — signed by at least 1,000 district residents — to the state by Tuesday.
"I love campaigning in southwest Pennsylvania," Mr. Saccone said in a statement. "Meeting the voters and learning what their priorities are is a misunderstood component of this process. We need to get to know each other; we need to ensure we identify our needs and create solutions."
"This is more than token handshakes," he added. "I am here working with you."
Mr. Lamb, who has a lead of about 600 votes over Mr. Saccone in the 18th's results, is gathering petitions for a run in the newly-drawn 17th Congressional District, which overlaps most of Republican U.S. Rep. Keith Rothfus's territory but adds parts of Allegheny County.
The winner of the special election for the 18th, which hasn't yet been called, will sit in the current district until the end of the year.
First Published: March 19, 2018, 1:42 p.m.
Updated: March 19, 2018, 7:18 p.m.