Rendell has big lead in Pa.

HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Gov. Ed Rendell appeared headed for an easy re-election victory Tuesday in Pennsylvania over former Pittsburgh Steelers star Lynn Swann.

Early returns gave Rendell a 2-1 lead over his Republican challenger.

Rendell, a former mayor of Philadelphia, barnstormed the state four years ago. He was able to overcome the distaste most Pennsylvanians feel for their largest city, political analysts said.

Swann, the first black candidate to run statewide in Pennsylvania for a major party, failed to break the attachment most black voters have to the Democratic Party, analysts said.