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Naughton to run for Congress in Bucks County

Another congressional contender is joining the field in Bucks County. Shaughnessy Naughton, a small-business owner who lost the 2014 Democratic primary for the county's House seat, will file paperwork Thursday morning to run again in 2016, according to her campaign.

Another congressional contender is joining the field in Bucks County.

Shaughnessy Naughton, a small-business owner who lost the 2014 Democratic primary for the county's House seat, will file paperwork Thursday morning to run again in 2016, according to her campaign.

"We need fresh voices in Washington. We need new ideas," Naughton said last month in discussing her intention to join the race. She described her experience running her family's printing business and her previous career in the pharmaceutical industry as unique qualifiers for a potential officeholder.

Naughton, 36, of Point Pleasant, is the second Democrat to declare for a race that will likely gain national interest from both parties.

State Rep. Steve Santarsiero of Lower Makefield announced his candidacy last month.

The Bucks County-based Eighth District is nearly evenly split between Democrats and Republicans, and will be an open seat next year. Republican incumbent Mike Fitzpatrick is stepping down due to a self-imposed term limit.

No Republican has officially declared as a candidate for 2016, although State Rep. Gene DiGirolamo of Bensalem has said he is considering a run.

Former Gov. Ed Rendell said Wednesday that he was advising Naughton and thought she could make "a great candidate" for another run.

Naughton came within about 800 votes of knocking off eventual Democratic nominee Kevin Strouse, who moved to the district with the backing of the national party.