Toomey will not seek support of state GOP in primary fight

[Freddie Stubbs]

WASHINGTON - Rep. Pat Toomey (R., Pa.), seeking to oust incumbent Sen. Arlen Specter in the Republican primary this spring, said yesterday that he would not vie for the Pennsylvania GOP's endorsement when state party leaders meet this weekend.

"I think it's pretty clear we don't have the votes to win the endorsement," Toomey, whose 15th District includes includes Northampton County, Lehigh County, and a portion of Montgomery County, told the Associated Press.

"This is an organization that has an overwhelming tendency of supporting incumbents," Toomey said. "That's its history and there's no surprise to that, so my decision was it's just best to focus our energy and resources on winning this primary."

But in recent weeks, Toomey has traveled to nearly all corners of the state to ask for support from regional GOP committees - and has lost them all except in Southeastern Pennsylvania, which has not yet voted.

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