The DePasquale Effect? Dem George Scott says he won’t run again in #PA10 in 2020

George Scott, the pastor and Army veteran who unsuccessfully challenged Republican Scott Perry in central Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District in 2018, said Friday that he won’t be making a second bid in 2020.

In a statement, Scott said he “consulted a variety of people, talked it over with my family, and of course prayed over the decision,” as he weighed a return candidacy for a seat that national Democrats have in their sights for next year.

“After reviewing all the factors and variables, I have decided to not run for Congress in 2020.  I believe that South Central Pennsylvania is on the verge of change, and I look forward to supporting a strong Democratic candidate who can defeat Congressman Perry and be the change we need in Washington,” he said.

Scott’s announcement comes just days after reports that Auditor General Eugene DePasquale, of York County, who’s finishing his second, and final term, as Pennsylvania’s elected fiscal watchdog, was eyeing a campaign against Perry.

Citing sources, The National Journal, a publication that covers Congress, reported that DePasquale would announce his candidacy in early July. DePasquale did not return a text message from the Capital-Star earlier this week seeking comment on the story.

A DePasquale candidacy would set up an-all York County contest between he and Perry, who both served in the state House before moving onto greener pastures.

Scott, a Lutheran pastor and retired Army colonel, lost to Perry by 2.7 percent in a district that President Donald Trump carried by more than 9 percentage points in 2016.