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Onorato far outpacing Wagner in the money game

In their likely matchup for the gubernatorial votes in western Pennsylvania, Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato already has one huge advantage over his political rival, Auditor General Jack Wagner: money.

Onorato had more than $4 million in campaign cash on hand last month, significantly more than any other gubernatorial candidate in either party, according to recently published campaign finance data. Wagner, by contrast, only had about $325,000 on hand. Though neither has officially declared, both are seen as all-but-definite candidate for the Democratic nomination.

While much of Onorato’s war-chest was built from a 2007 reelection bid that cost very little, he continues to raise more than Wagner from month-to-month. Wagner raised a little over $10,000 in the month following this year’s primary, compared to almost $200,000 raised by Onorato, according to their campaign finance reports.

Philadelphia businessman Tom Knox did not have to file a recent campaign finance report because he does not hold elected office. He had a minimal sum on hand at the end of last year, but is expected to spend millions of his own money on the race. With Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham having dropped out of the race, Wagner and Onorato are increasingly seen as the primary competitors for the Democratic nod.

July 6, 2009 at 1:40 pm

--Dan Hirschhorn

Tags: Dan Onorato, Jack Wagner, Tom Knox

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