The surprise announcement that Franco Harris is running for mayor of Pittsburgh is likely to confuse some voters -- until they realize that this is Franco Harris, Jr., the 29-year old son of the great Steelers Hall of Famer.

   The junior Harris goes by "Dok" -- a shortened form of his mother's maiden name -- and he looks a lot like his dad both in stature and in beard style. 

   I sat down with Dok Harris this afternoon, and I couldn't helped but be impressed by his intelligence and verbal agility.  Maybe that's no surprise.  Harris, who grew up on the Northside (at least until age 14) and now lives in Shadyside, graduated from Shadyside Academy, Princeton University, Carnegie Mellon University (from the Tepper School of Business) and the University of Pittsburgh Law School. 

   Can Harris unseat his fellow 20-something Luke Ravenstahl?  Well, it's a long shot.  Harris is running as an Independent, although he was once a registered Republican -- he says Reagan's style appealed to him in his youth -- and then a Democrat -- after being discouraged by President Bush.   As an Independent, Harris bypasses the Democratic Primary in May where Councilman Patrick Dowd is trying to unseat Ravenstahl.  The big battle for Harris will be in November.

   That gives the Independent candidate time to raise money and build a coalition of anti-Luke folks.  It's all somewhat reminiscent of Mark DeSantis' attempt to do the same in 2007.  DeSantis, however, was plagued with the Republican label next to his name.  Harris won't have that issue, but, still, getting Pittsburghers to vote against the Democratic nominee is never easy.

   The key, it seems to me, is whether Harris can raise enough money to get to the voters of Pittsburgh.  His name will bring instant recognition, along with his looks, but it will take more.  He must convince voters that he has the plan, the vision, and the smarts to lead Pittsburgh.   Can he do it?  What do you think?