Roll Call – Rep. Allyson Y.  Schwartz, D-Pa., is increasingly close to jumping into the gubernatorial race.

“She’s 80 percent of the way in,” Marcel Groen, the longtime Montgomery County Democratic Party chairman, told PoliticsPA late Friday night.

Schwartz had previously indicated some interest in challenging GOP Gov. Tom Corbett in 2014. She would enter the race as a top contender, although other well-known state Democrats are also openly considering a bid.

Her chief of staff, Rachel Magnuson, confirmed the congresswoman’s interest in the race to CQ Roll Call.

“There are serious challenges facing Pennsylvania middle class families,” Magnuson wrote in an email. “People from across the state know that Allyson has a proven track record of being able to get things done both by sheer grit and by finding common ground, and they are calling on her to run. Allyson appreciates the deep support, and will continue listening closely as she considers a run for Governor.”

But PoliticsPA also reported the Democratic Governors Association has conducted polling for Schwartz — and the numbers were encouraging. The DGA did not respond immediately to a CQ Roll Call request for comment.

Before her interest in the gubernatorial race, Schwartz has been climbing the rungs of Democratic leadership. She had recently played prominent roles in the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

State Treasurer Rob McCord is also a serious Democratic contender.

Schwartz’s southeastern Pennsylvania House seat is a safe Democratic district. State Sen. Daylin Leach, a Democrat, has expressed interest in running for the seat if Schwartz runs statewide.

Updated 3:57 p.m.

“Allyson Schwartz’s record of fighting for the middle class would provide a clear contrast in this race and we’re encouraged by the likelihood that she’ll run,” a DGA source emailed.