LEFTOVERS: Labor support for Sestak and Wagner, anti-Dahlkemper ad called ‘tasteless’

Hardly a day goes by now that we don’t hear about one labor union or another endorsing one candidate or another.

On Wednesday, it was Democrats Joe Sestak and Jack Wagner getting into the act. Sestak, the Senate hopeful, won the backing of the International Association of Machinists Lodge 1776 in Essington. The union represents about 3,000 workers throughout the state, including a bunch at Philadelphia International Airport, which resides in Sestak’s 7th Congressional District.…

March 17, 2010 at 8:33 pm | Comments (2)

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

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…

March 15, 2010 at 1:08 pm | Comments (6)

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…

March 15, 2010 at 12:13 pm | Comments (3)

Corbett still up over Dem opponents

UPDATE APPENDED (See bottom)

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…

March 12, 2010 at 6:45 pm | Comments (6)

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…

March 11, 2010 at 12:54 pm | Comments (2)

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.”…

March 5, 2010 at 1:53 am | Comments (2)

Guv candidates talk pensions, taxes, transportation

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…

March 5, 2010 at 1:30 am | Comments (6)

Poll: Onorato leads Dems, Corbett up in general

Another poll, another snapshot of a wide open governor’s race.

A Quinnipiac University survey released Wednesday showed Allegheny County Executive holding a narrow lead over his Democratic rivals—but with almost 60 percent of voters still undecided. Onorato garners 16 percent of the vote, compared to 11 percent for Auditor General Jack Wagner and 10 percent for Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel. State Senator Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia), who only recently entered the race, trails the rest…

March 3, 2010 at 12:07 pm | Comments (13)

Lackawanna Dems back Wagner, Specter (Updated)

Auditor General Jack Wagner continues to rack up Democratic Party support ahead of the May gubernatorial primary, with the latest endorsement coming from the Lackawanna County Democratic Committee.

The local party formally backed Wagner at its meeting Monday night. The party also endorsed Senator Arlen Specter’s reelection bid.

“Jack possesses the integrity, leadership and accountability that is needed in the Governor’s office,” John O’Boyle, a member of the county party’s executive committee, said in a…

March 2, 2010 at 12:14 pm | Comments (7)

Warren County Dems endorse Wagner

Auditor General Jack Wagner continued to shore up local party support ahead of the May gubernatorial primary Thursday when he was endorsed by the Warren County Democratic Committee.

Wagner, who was the top vote-getter at the Democratic State Committee meeting earlier this month but failed to win an endorsement, has now been backed by almost a quarter of either county party chairs or their full committees.

“We recognize Jack’s contributions as Auditor General and previously…

February 25, 2010 at 2:39 pm | Comments (1)