Pittsburgh Controller Lamb considers run for U.S. Senate

City Controller Michael Lamb is weighing a bid for the Democratic nomination in next year's U.S. Senate race.

"I don't call myself a candidate at this point ... this is something I'm in the very preliminary stage of considering,'' said Mr. Lamb, who was elected to his city post in 2007.

So far, two Democrats have said they plan to enter the 2010 race for the seat being defended by Sen. Arlen Specter. Joe Torsella, the former president of the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, has formed a fund-raising committee and raised just under $600,000 in the first quarter of the year.

Earlier this week, state Rep. Bill Kortz, D-Dravosburg, said he also would enter the race. Auditor General Jack Wagner has not ruled out a bid for the seat but has shown only tepid interest, saying for months that he is more focused on the potential of a candidacy for governor.

Several other Democrats, all from the Philadelphia region, have been mentioned as potential candidates. They include state Rep. Josh Shapiro, of Montgomery County, and three members of Congress with adjoining districts -- Reps. Joe Sestak, Patrick Murphy and Allyson Schwartz.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09113/965063-100.stm