Rep. Chaka Fattah, the Philadelphia Democrat indicted on more than two-dozen counts of corruption, hired a campaign manager over the weekend and vowed to run for re-election — denying rumors that the legal battle ahead of him would force him to step aside.  

Fattah will bring on Joe Certaine — a one-time aide to former Gov. Ed Rendell — to manage his campaign. Fattah also told CQ Roll Call on Monday he plans to roll out endorsements later this week, a move to show strength ahead of what’s looking like a tough primary battle for his seat.  

“Joe has three qualities that make him uniquely qualified to lead my campaign,” Fattah said in a news release. “He has proven managerial capabilities, he has unmatched knowledge of every neighborhood and every neighborhood leader in my district and he has unparalleled political expertise. I look forward to our collaboration.”  

Fattah’s 2nd District voted for President Barack Obama by an 81-point margin in 2012 — making it the third-most Democratic House seat in the country. Whoever wins the Democratic primary will be the next member of Congress from this district.  

Aside from Fattah’s legal battles, for which has has professed his innocence, Fattah’s son — Chaka Fattah Jr. — was just convicted in his own fraud case.  

Related:

Roll Call Race Ratings Map: Ratings for Every House and Senate Race in 2016


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