Candidate Central
With so many candidates entering and exiting races, other politicians floating around the periphery and still others just soaking up the limelight while they can, it can be difficult to keep track of who’s running for what. At Candidate Central, we give you the quick dish of who’s in what race and where they are in the campaign process, throwing in a little pa2010.com political analysis to top it off.
Entries will be added, deleted and edited as the political landscape changes. Stay tuned for the addition of more candidates from more races.
Gubernational Candidates
| Candidate | Party | Current/Recent Positions | Previous Elections | Status | Bio/Analysis |
 Tom Corbett | R | State Attorney General | Elected Attorney General in 2004. Won reelection in 2008. | Definitely running | As a longtime state and federal prosecutor throughout Pennsylvania, Corbett is considered the most well-known of all the gubernatorial candidates. His “Bonusgate” investigation has riveted the Capitol for two years, and promises to continue providing him the publicity other candidates have to buy. Before his recent career in elected politics, Corbett was U.S. Attorney in western Pennsylvania under President Reagan, and also served on President George H.W. Bush’s drug task force. Campaign Site——Government Site |
 Joe Hoeffel | D | Montgomery County Commissioner | Won Congressional seat in 1998 on fourth try, serving three terms before an unsuccessful U.S. Senate run in 2004. Elected county commissioner in 2007. | Definitely running | A former Montgomery County Congressman and a longtime fixture in local Democratic politics, Hoeffel is presenting himself as the true progressive in a primary field of candidates that he says are too conservative for the party. He is well-known in the vote-rich southeast, and will be challenged to gather party support against candidates who have been effectively in the race for much longer. Campaign Site——Government Site |
 Robert Mansfield | R | Served in Iraq as a Pennsylvania Army National Guardsman. | Never sought elected office. | Definitely running | An Iraq War veteran who had originally planned to run for Lieutenant Governor, Mansfield is the least known of the candidates in either party. In a primary against officials who have held elected office, Mansfield’s challenge will be gaining traction in a race even most insiders see as a three-man contest that doesn’t include him. Campaign Site |
 Dan Onorato | D | Allegheny County Executive | Elected Allegheny County Controller in 1999. Elected County Executive in 2003, easily winning reelection in 2007. | Definitely running | Widely considered the front-runner for the Democratic nomination, party insiders have been talking about the 48-year-old like he’s the favorite since the moment Gov. Ed Rendell won a second term in 2006. He seems to have more party support than his potential Democratic challengers. And after ending 2008 with $4 million in campaign and no reelection to worry about before 2010, his early financial advantage could prove powerful.Campaign Site——Government Site |
 Sam Rohrer | R | State Representative (Berks County) | First elected 1992, has won reelection every two years since. | Definitely running | A longtime state lawmaker popular in conservative circles, Rohrer is trying to build an unconventional, grassroots campaign as he goes against two major GOP candidates with more money and better name recognition. While the challenges inherent to this are steep, his candidacy is the most serious test so far of if a conservative can rally a movement against a party-backed candidate.Campaign Site——Government Site |
 Jack Wagner | D | State Auditor General | After 10 years on Pittsburgh City Council, elected to the State Senate in 1994. Finished second in the 2002 Lt. Gov. primary before being elected Auditor General in 2004. Easily won a second term in 2008. | Definitely running | After winning two statewide elections for Auditor General, the former Pittsburgh state Senator is likely the most well-known candidate in the Democratic pack. He has an extensive resume of elected offices throughout state and municipal government. As a Vietnam War veteran, he draws considerable support from military veterans. If he won a primary, his high profile in Western Pennsylvania could make him difficult to beat. He had been considering entering either the race for Governor or Senate, but opted for the Governor’s race. Campaign Site——Government Site |
Senate Candidates
| Candidate | Party | Current/Recent Positions | Previous Elections | Status | Bio/Analysis |
 Peg Luksik | R | Founder of Mom’s House, support group for single parents | Made multiple runs for governor in 1990s. | Definitely running | Know mainly as a conservative, pro-life activist, Luksik has a following among social-issue voters, and has surprised politicos in the past by garnering more support than expected. While few give her a chance to win, Arlen Specter’s recent defection to the Democrats could give her more room in the media spotlight. Campaign Site |
 Larry Murphy | R | Businessman | Ran unsuccessful primary challenge to Arlen Specter in 1998. | Definitely running | The least well-known of the Republican Senate candidates, Murphy is expected to garner little attention even in such a high-profile primary.Campaign Site |
 Joe Sestak | D | Congressman (PA-7) | Elected to Congress in 2006, winning reelection in 2008. | Definitely running | A former Navy admiral, Sestak has carved out a comfortable political niche even though he represents a relatively conservative Delaware County district. Ever since Arlen Specter switched parties, Sestak has been Specter’s most fiery critic. And after making noise about a primary run against him for months, Sestak finally declared his candidacy in August, setting up what is sure to be one of the most contentious primaries in the country. Campaign Site——Government Site |
 Arlen Specter | D | Senator | A former Philadelphia District Attorney, Specter was first elected to the Senate in 1980, wining reelection four times. In 2004, he beat Pat Toomey in the Republican primary by only 17,000 votes. | Definitely running | Pennsylvania’s longtime senior Senator is one of the toughest politicians in the Keystone State, and may have secured his reelection with his recent switch to the Democrats. He is a prolific fundraiser and capable of garnering support from Independents and Democrats. With the expected support of Gov. Ed Rendell and President Obama, he will be a formidable primary candidate. Campaign Site——Government Site |
 Pat Toomey | R | Former Congressman, former Club for Growth president | Elected to Congress in 1998, winning reelection in 2000 and 2002. Lost close Senate primary to Arlen Specter in 2004. | Definitely running | As a darling of the party’s conservative wing, Specter’s vote in favor of President Obama’s stimulus package has sparked a growing outrage in Toomey’s favor. Now with Specter having left the party, Toomey, for now, has a wide open primary field largely to himself. Campaign Site |
 Robert Townsend | R | Longtime law enforcement officer. | Never ran for public office. | Definitely running | After serving in the Navy, Townsend has for years been a Chester County law enforcement official, formerly as a cop in the county and is now a retired Federal Air Marshall. Garnering attention in a race where the focus is on who can beat Arlen Specter in the fall will be difficult. Campaign site |