Joe Hoeffel is going to make it official and announce his candidacy for governor, Phillyburbs.com reports today. (Jan 22). The Montgomery County commissioner -- and former congressman and state legislator -- has been testing the waters in recent months and has decided to take the plunge. He will announce next week that he is a candidate for the Democratic nomination in the May primary. The waters are likely to be much nicer since Tom Knox has withdrawn from the race. Knox, a millionaire from Philadelphia, and Hoeffel are both from southeastern Pa. With Knox out, it gives Hoeffel a chance to win this region's strong Democratic vote.