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Frank Rizzo Jr. On Verge of Announcing Run For Phila. Mayor -- As a Democrat

By Larry Kane

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Former Philadelphia city councilman Frank Rizzo Jr., son of the late mayor, is expected to announce on Monday that he is switching to the Democratic Party.   Sources close to Rizzo say he will be a candidate for the Democratic nomination for mayor, after serving in an at-large position on City Council as a Republican for sixteen years.

Meanwhile, former Philadelphia district attorney Lynne Abraham is close to declaring that she will also be a candidate.   Although she could not be reached for comment, sources tell us she has told a lot of people that she is looking seriously at a run.

For Rizzo's part, the longtime councilman made the decision in the past week, and already is strategizing a campaign and rounding up financial backing.

The primary for mayor of Philadelphia is still 17 months away.  Pennsylvania state senator Anthony Williams and City Council president Darryl Clarke are also thinking about running, as is councilman Jim Kenney.

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