Pike concedes, endorsing Trivedi for general election
5.19.2010
Dan Hirschhorn
pa2010.com
Almost 24 hours after polls closed, Democrat Doug Pike conceded defeat in the 6th District primary, throwing his support behind Reading doctor Manan Trivedi in what is sure to be a competitive general election battle against Congressman Jim Gerlach (R-6).
Trivedi held a narrow lead late Tuesday night, and Pike's campaign conceded after it spent Wednesday making sure there weren't enough uncounted provisional or absentee ballots to make a difference in the race. Pike called Trivedi Wednesday afternoon to congratulate him and offer his support.
"Manan would be a much better member of Congress than Republican Jim Gerlach, a career politician who has let working families down again and again," Pike said in a statement. "I endorse Manan Trivedi—a doctor and veteran who served on the front lines in Iraq—and I urge my supporters to unite behind him."
The concession capped an remarkable turnaround in the race from nine months ago, when Pike appeared to be cruising toward the party's nomination. Trivedi came on the scene in September as an insurgent candidate, but quickly won over party leaders and rank-and-file activists alike, several of whom changed their endorsements in the race to back Trivedi, a Reading doctor. Pike, a former Inquirer editorial writer and the son of a former Long Island congressman, spent about $1 million of his own money on the race.
The primary was bitter throughout, but ended on the kind of cordial note Democrats will need to unite and set their sights on Gerlach, a fierce campaigner who has withstood fierce challenges ever since his first campaign for the suburban Philadelphia district in 2002. The race is currently ranked No. 6 on the pa2010.com Congressional Power Rankings.
"To the hundreds of people who worked their hearts out to send me to Congress: I will always remember and appreciate your dedication," Pike said. "Today is the end of our campaign, but it's not the end of my service to others—and I know it's not the end of yours. Thank you."
May 19, 2010 at 4:35 pm
http://www.pa2010.com/2010/05/pike-concedes-endorsing-trivedi-for-general-election
Trivedi held a narrow lead late Tuesday night, and Pike's campaign conceded after it spent Wednesday making sure there weren't enough uncounted provisional or absentee ballots to make a difference in the race. Pike called Trivedi Wednesday afternoon to congratulate him and offer his support.
"Manan would be a much better member of Congress than Republican Jim Gerlach, a career politician who has let working families down again and again," Pike said in a statement. "I endorse Manan Trivedi—a doctor and veteran who served on the front lines in Iraq—and I urge my supporters to unite behind him."
The concession capped an remarkable turnaround in the race from nine months ago, when Pike appeared to be cruising toward the party's nomination. Trivedi came on the scene in September as an insurgent candidate, but quickly won over party leaders and rank-and-file activists alike, several of whom changed their endorsements in the race to back Trivedi, a Reading doctor. Pike, a former Inquirer editorial writer and the son of a former Long Island congressman, spent about $1 million of his own money on the race.
The primary was bitter throughout, but ended on the kind of cordial note Democrats will need to unite and set their sights on Gerlach, a fierce campaigner who has withstood fierce challenges ever since his first campaign for the suburban Philadelphia district in 2002. The race is currently ranked No. 6 on the pa2010.com Congressional Power Rankings.
"To the hundreds of people who worked their hearts out to send me to Congress: I will always remember and appreciate your dedication," Pike said. "Today is the end of our campaign, but it's not the end of my service to others—and I know it's not the end of yours. Thank you."
May 19, 2010 at 4:35 pm
http://www.pa2010.com/2010/05/pike-concedes-endorsing-trivedi-for-general-election
