EAST GOSHEN — Former U.S. Attorney Pat Meehan visited the Bellingham Retirement Community on East Boot Road to announce Monday afternoon he will seek the Republican nomination for the 7th District Congressional seat.

Long expected declare his candidacy, Meehan told a small group of Bellingham residents and Republican committeepeople that his campaign will focus on economic recovery and government accountability.

He said he believes the economy will be best helped by low taxes and smaller government. The federal government's recent attempts to stimulate the economy, he said, will lead to "inflation, higher job-killing taxes and an enormous burden of debt that our children and their children will carry like a millstone for generations."

During his recent travels through the state, he said, Pennsylvanians have told him they feel the federal government is more interested in bailing out automakers and big banks than helping ordinary citizens.

"It's time our elected officials be made to answer for the decisions they make about our money and about our children's future and, frankly, about their today," Meehan said.

Meehan began his speech with a brief description of his childhood in a crowded twin home in Cheltenham. Back then, he said, he felt optimistic about his chances for economic advancement.

"I want my own children and my neighbors' children to have a similar faith in their future," he said. "As things are today, I fear they just do not share that confidence."

Meehan delivered a similar speech Monday morning in front of his home in Upper Darby, Delaware County. He followed it with a noontime speech in Bridgeport, Montgomery County. The 7th District contains a large section of Delaware County and smaller sections of Chester and Montgomery counties.

Meehan had initially intended to seek the Republican gubernatorial nomination. But GOP leaders convinced him to instead run in the 7th District. The incumbent, U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak, D-7th, of Edgmont, is running for U.S. Senate and will not seek re-election.

Meehan's path to nomination appears secure. His competition, businessman Steve Welch of Upper Providence, Montgomery County, left the race Saturday. Welch is seeking the Republican nomination in the 6th District.

State Rep. Bryan Lentz, D-161st, of Swarthmore, is likely to seek the Democratic nomination in the 7th District. He said he is building his campaign and will officially announce his bid soon.

"I welcome Pat Meehan to the race and look forward to a vigorous debate about the issues facing America," Lentz said Monday.

State Rep. Greg Vitali, D-166th, of Haverford, has also expressed interest in the seat. But he said Monday he hasn't made a final decision about whether he will run.

"Frankly, I'm focused on getting the state budget passed and working on related environmental issues," Vitali said. "It's taking up a lot of my time."

Meehan served as U.S. Attorney for Pennsylvania's Eastern District from 2001 to 2008, when he resigned to focus on his run for governor. He was elected as Delaware County's District Attorney in 1995.

To contact staff writer Dan Kristie, send an e-mail to dkristie@dailylocal.com.