Former congresswoman Margolies considers comeback

Fels Institute of Government faculty member Marjorie Margolies may be poising herself for a return to Capitol Hill after an 18-year absence.

KYW Newsradio reported Tuesday that Margolies — a Democrat who served in the United States House of Representatives from 1993-95 — is considering a run for her old seat representing Pennsylvania’s 13th district, which covers parts of Philadelphia and its suburbs. The report comes after Allyson Schwartz (D-Pa.), who currently represents the district, announced that she would enter the 2014 race for Pennsylvania governor.

“It is premature, because we have a congressperson in office now, but it is true that I am talking about it with party leaders and family members,” Margolies told KYW.

Sources told the news outlet that she has received encouragement from top Democratic leaders, including former President Bill Clinton — whose daughter Chelsea Clinton is married to Margolies’ son.

Margolies, a 1963 College graduate, was a broadcast journalist for more than two dozen years — during which time she won five Emmy Awards — before her stint in the House. She also chairs Women’s Campaign International, an organization devoted to allowing women to be “effective agents of change” through political leadership, civic participation, conflict mitigation and economic empowerment, according to its website.

At Penn, she has taught courses on media relations and female leaders in emerging democracies.

Three candidates have already filed to run for the 13th district seat.

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