Pennsylvania

Congressional Candidate Helps Rescue People Stuck in Elevator

A Lower Merion Township commissioner running for U.S. Congress can add rescuer to his resume after he helped people escape a stuck elevator outside his campaign office.

Brian Gordon is a Democratic candidate for Pennsylvania's 2nd District. He was working at his campaign headquarters on the 7th floor of a Bala Cynwyd office building Friday afternoon when one of the elevators became stuck between floors, his campaign said.

Gordon helped the building's receptionist pry open the elevator doors and lower down a ladder so the five passengers could climb out. A campaign staffer filmed the whole rescue.

 
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Elevator rescue

The campaign got interrupted for a few minutes today when a group of people got stuck in an elevator right outside of our office. Brian stepped in to save the day!

Posted by Gordon for Congress 2016 on Friday, November 6, 2015

After an elevator rider apologized to Gordon, he replied, "I live for this stuff." He then took a moment to stump for his campaign.

It seemed he gained a few votes with several people announcing they'd support him.

Gordon is challenging incumbent Chaka Fattah in the April Democratic primary. He's running on a message of inclusion, equal protection and the environment, his website shows. Attorney Dan Muroff has also announced he'll run for Fattah's seat.

Fattah has led the 2nd District since 1995, but faces a federal indictment where he's accused of misusing federal grants and charitable donations. He has denied any wrongdoing.

Congressman Fattah is married to NBC10 News anchor Renee Chenault-Fattah, who is currently on leave from the station. She has not been charged.

Thursday, the congressman's son, Chaka Fattah, Jr., was found guilty of 22 counts of fraud in a separate federal case. The junior told NBC10 exclusively hours after the verdict was read that he plans to appeal the ruling and doesn't believe he'll spend time in prison.

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