Lancaster County Recorder of Deeds Steve McDonald wasted little time this week pointing out differences between himself and retiring state Sen. Gibson E. Armstrong, whose job McDonald wants.

"People don't want tax money redistributed," McDonald said. "They want taxes reduced."

Armstrong has a well-deserved reputation for bringing state economic development dollars back to his district, particularly to projects in Lancaster city.

McDonald, a fellow Republican, said Monday he has a different notion of how to govern.

"The first key is to not (take) the money out of the people's hands in the first place," he said. "And you don't have to deliver it back home."

McDonald's statement marks the true start of the campaign for Armstrong's seat.

Armstrong, the veteran politician who has represented the complicated 13th Senatorial District since 1985, announced over the weekend he will leave office after 2008.

So far, only McDonald has stepped out, but at least two others — former county Commissioner Paul Thibault and former Lancaster city Mayor Charlie Smithgall — have said they are considering a run for the Senate seat.

And local Democrats now feel a new opportunity is presenting candidates in a wide-open election field.

"Most people would not have wanted to run against (Armstrong)," Bruce Beardsley, chairman of the Lancaster County Democratic Committee, said, "but now that it's an open seat, it will pique people's interests."

The 13th District is a complex political map.

Its largest municipality is Lancaster city, which includes 54,000 people of diverse backgrounds and recently has become a stronghold for Democrats.

The rest of the 13th, however, stretches southward through Lancaster County and parts of York County. A few suburbs are scattered among mostly farming communities, which traditionally have strong Republican loyalties.

"This is still conservative Republican territory," said G. Terry Madonna, director of Franklin & Marshall College's Center for Politics & Public Policy. "Someone who gets elected will probably be center-right."

Madonna anticipates a clash of ideologies in the upcoming election, with one side pushing for a senator who wants to shrink government versus those looking for state help for economic development.

Once the state budget is in place, will the future senator from this district refuse to bring state cash back home for economic development projects?

"Or are you going to fight for your share of the appropriations?" Madonna said.

Armstrong embraced both principles.

As chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee this year, he fought every tax increase or new fee proposed by Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell.

Armstrong, however, also has delivered thousands of state funds to projects like the $170 million hotel/convention center being constructed in downtown Lancaster and Clipper Magazine Stadium.

"Armstrong's philosophy was: Low budgets, but once they were done, we need our fair share of the money," Madonna said.

And Armstrong may not be completely detached from the upcoming race, even if he isn't pursuing a sixth term. He could decide to back one of the candidates seeking to replace him.

Armstrong did not immediately return several messages seeking comment Tuesday.

During the last year alone, he's been raising and spending money like someone bent on campaigning. According to the Pennsylvania Department of State, Armstrong raised $245,043.92 in 2007 and spent $144,957.60, for a net gain of $100,086.32.

Armstrong's election committee still has $250,101.77 in the bank, more than 10 times the amount state Sen. Mike Brubaker of Warwick Township has in his war chest.

Armstrong has been donating thousands to other candidates at the local and state level, including $25,000 to the Senate Republican Campaign Committee. He also spent $11,065 on two polls this spring.

Should Armstrong decide to endorse someone for his Senate seat, the person would have one of the most skilled fundraisers in the region as an ally and possible access to Armstrong's deep war chest.

But an endorsement by Armstrong does not guarantee the rest of the local Republican Party will follow.

Consider what happened in the recent race for Lancaster County commissioner.

In that campaign, Armstrong backed former Lancaster city Mayor Charlie Smithgall, but during GOP committee straw polls last winter, Smithgall earned less than 10 percent in areas Armstrong has represented for two decades. Armstrong's pick for county judge — Gerald Robinson — didn't fare any better, garnering just 4 percent.

McDonald, however, would not rule out accepting an Armstrong endorsement.

"I'll seek the endorsement of any citizen in the 13th district that wants to give it to me," he said.

E-mail: dpidgeon@lnpnews.com