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Patrick Meehan (doj)

The former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Pat Meehan, is keeping pace on fundraising with his likely Democratic opponent for a House seat next year, Federal Election Commission reports show.

Meehen is running for the Republican nomination for the seat being vacated by Democratic Rep. Joe Sestak in Pennsylvania’s 7th congressional district. State Rep. Bryan Lentz is bidding for the Democratic nomination.

Meehan’s FEC report shows he raised $212,000 in the third quarter of this year, and has $210,942.01 on hand. Lentz raised$220,000 in the quarter, and has $218,000 cash on hand.

Bryan Lentz (gov)

The seat is open because Sestak is mounting a Democratic primary challenge against party-switching Sen. Arlen Specter (D) next year. Meehan was previously considering a run for Pennsylvania governor in 2010.

Meehan served as the Philadelphia-based district’s top prosecutor from September 2001 until July 2008. Meehan’s deputy, Laurie Magid, was named interim U.S. Attorney. But she abruptly resigned in May, a month before her 120-day interim appointment would have expired. Magid’s husband had hosted a fundraising event for Meehan, which stirred controversy in the office. Some prosecutors had also complained about her management skills.