Montgomery County Republican Reconsiders Campaign Tactics

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Pa. (CBS) - Political strategists in Montgomery County, with its 710,000 voters, are assessing a new Democratic team, but there is a new behind-the-scenes twist.

With Joe Hoeffel deciding not to run,  Pennsylvania state representative Josh Shapiro and Whitemarsh Township supervisor Leslie Richards will head the Democratic ticket to run the county (see related story).

And the decision is forcing Republican frontrunner, commissioner Bruce Castor (pictured), to change tactics.

Castor tells us that he's not happy with the party's executive committee embracing Lower Merion commissioner Jenny Brown as his running mate, and he plans to push hard for another candidate: Jill Govberg, former head of the Lower Merion school board.

What this is all about is very clear.  Castor and Shapiro will get tons of votes, but what really matters is who finishes third. That person's win will decide which party controls the county.

Castor is concerned. Sources say that he may win all the votes, but if his running mate loses he will be relegated again to the third spot.  He'll be a man with the votes but without any power.

Reported by Larry Kane, KYW Newsradio 1060.