Former Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R) will not run for a seat in the Pennsylvania General Assembly after all, according to local news reports. Fitzpatrick dropped out of the race for a state House seat earlier this month, citing an “emerging family medical issue.”

“As much as I love public service, my priorities must be with my family right now,” Fitzpatrick told the Bucks County Courier Times. “I will certainly maintain my involvement in the community, but the time that will be required of me at home over the next 12 months will prevent me from effectively campaigning.”

Fitzpatrick served for one term in Congress before losing a tight race to now-Rep. Patrick Murphy (D). Fitzpatrick publically mulled a rematch with Murphy but eventually decided against it.

Republicans have recruited retired Marine Col. Tom Manion to run against Murphy in the southeast Pennsylvania district, which leans Democratic. <
— Shira Toeplitz