Governor News

Poll: Corbett leads, Wagner fares better with conservatives than Onorato

by Dan Hirschhorn on March 15, 2010 at 1:08 pm

As some see the Democratic primary for governor as more and more of a two-way race between Jack Wagner and Dan Onorato, Wagner can make at least one argument that he’s the more electable candidate in November—conservatives like him more.

That’s one of the findings of a new survey by the GOP firm Susquehanna Polling & Research, which found both Wagner and Onorato trailing state Attorney General Tom Corbett, the likely GOP nominee. Corbett leads…

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Cambria Dems endorse Wagner
Another day, another county party endorsement for Jack Wagner.
The Democratic candidate for governor announced the backing of the Cambria County Democratic Committee Monday. Wagner was the top vote-getter at the Democratic State Committee meeting last night, but didn’t garner the two-thirds vote needed for a formal endorsement.
Still, he now has the support of about one-third of the county party organizations in the state—support he’ll need as he goes up against a significantly better-funded…
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March 15, 2010 at 12:13 pm | Comments (2)
Corbett still up over Dem opponents
With the free Bonusgate publicity still flowing, Attorney General Tom Corbett continues to lead his potential Democratic rivals for governor, according to a new poll.
The Research 2000 survey released Friday showed Corbett, the likely GOP nominee, holding at least a six-point lead over each of the four Democratic candidates. But almost half of voters still don’t have an opinion of Corbett, in yet another sign that his lead in the polls may be more…
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March 12, 2010 at 6:45 pm | Comments (5)
On home turf, Hoeffel easily wins MontCo endorsement
PLYMOUTH MEETING—Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel scored an easy endorsement win from his local Democratic Party Thursday night, beating out gubernatorial rival Dan Onorato by a five-to-one margin on a standing voice vote.
Hoeffel, who is underfunded and whose campaign has seemed lag of late, was widely expected to win on his home turf. No formal roll call vote was required during the county party’s endorsement convention at the Colonial Elementary School here.
“We need…
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March 12, 2010 at 4:42 am | Comments (14)
Schuylkill Dems endorse Wagner
Yet another county party has endorsed Democrat Jack Wagner’s gubernatorial bid, with the Schuylkill County Democratic Committee unanimously backing the state auditor general
“Jack has been a friend to Schuylkill County throughout his career,” party chair Edward Kleha said in a campaign statement. “It is our pleasure to unanimously endorse him, and we look forward to making him Pennsylvania’s next Governor.”
Wagner has been racking up party support for the last several week, and was…
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March 11, 2010 at 12:54 pm | Comments (2)
Teachers’ union endorses Onorato
The state’s largest teachers’ union endorsed Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato Wednesday, giving the Democratic gubernatorial hopeful his most significant labor support in the race so far.
The Pennsylvania State Education Association, which represents about 200,000 teachers and other employees in public school and universities, backed Onorato during an event in Philadelphia.
“Dan Onorato shares our belief that the power of a great education can result in strong schools, successful children and vibrant communities,” PSEA…
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March 10, 2010 at 6:30 pm | Comments (7)
Metcalfe calls himself an ‘accountability’ candidate
A day after surprising political watchers by filing nominating petitions to run for Lieutenant Governor, state Representative Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) formally declared his candidacy with a pledge to “redefine” the office and even hold his future boss accountable.
Metcalfe, one of nine Republicans seeking the party’s nomination, is a conservative stalwart whose presence in the race is expected to shake up the political landscape of the crowded field.
“I will work throughout the four-year term…
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March 10, 2010 at 5:04 pm | Comments (8)
Metcalfe running for Lt. Gov.—Urban also opts for two races
The race for Lieutenant Governor appears to be getting a surprise, last-minute addition this week, with state Representative Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) set to announce his candidacy Wednesday. Metcalfe, one of the General Assembly’s staunchest conservatives, reportedly filed petitions Tuesday to get on the primary ballot, but apparently is also running for reelection.
Metcalfe will launch his campaign Wednesday morning in the Capitol Rotunda in Harrisburg.
Luzerne County Commissioner Stephen Urban also said he’ll seek the…
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March 9, 2010 at 10:16 pm | Comments (3)
Jack Wagner’s train tracks
PHILADELPHIA—Auditor General Jack Wagner sure loves his “train-off-the-track” metaphor.
By our estimation, the Democratic candidate for governor has used it well over half-a-dozen times now—certainly at every forum we’ve seen.
He brought out the train again here Thursday evening during a forum at the National Constitution Center. “In Pennsylvania state government, the train is off the track,” Wagner said. “And it needs to be put back on the track through leadership of the next governor.”…
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March 5, 2010 at 1:53 am | Comments (2)
Guv candidates talk pensions, taxes, transportation
From left to right, gubernatorial candidates Tom Corbett, Joe Hoeffel, Dan Onorato, Sam Rohrer, Jack Wagner and Anthony Williams at a forum Thursday in Philadelphia.
PHILADELPHIA—The six candidate for governor came together for yet another forum Thursday evening, discussing a plethora issues that affect the state’s business climate, from the looming pension crisis and tax-rates to the transportation funding that could confront the state if its application to toll Interstate 80 is again rejected by the federal government.
The forum, hosted by the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and held at the National Constitution Center here, was the first time…
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March 5, 2010 at 1:30 am | Comments (6)