Dahlkemper may run for old seat in 2012

ERIE, Pa. (AP) — Kathy Dahlkemper says she is exploring whether to run in 2012 for the northwestern Pennsylvania Congressional seat she lost to Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly last year.

The 53-year-old Democrat won the seat in 2008, but was swept out of office when Republicans made significant gains in the 2010 mid-term elections.

Dahlkemper’s race, in particular, was marked by her support for President Barack Obama’s health-care reforms.

Some voters are believed to have abandoned Dahlkemper, a so-called Blue Dog — or conservative — Democrat, because of that issue.

Dahlkemper tells the Erie Times-News she’ll have to make a decision fairly soon because waiting until the fall would put her at a disadvantage.

Kelly’s press secretary says he’s focused on federal budget issues and has no comment on the 2012 race.