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…

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…

March 9, 2010 at 10:16 pm | Comments (3)

Lt. Gov. update: Pepper’s still in, who’s Billy McCue?

After the Republican State Committee meeting last month, multiple news reports said that Jean Craige Pepper had withdrawn from the race for Lieutenant Governor.

But it looks like that was just a misunderstanding, and Pepper says she’s in the race to stay. The confusion, Pepper said, came after she withdrew her name from consideration for the party’s endorsement. Bucks County Commissioner Jim Cawley won that endorsement, but several Republicans are still running.

“I never said…

March 4, 2010 at 3:43 pm | Comments (3)

Watkins dropping out of Lt. Gov. race

Joe Watkins was set to withdraw from the race for Lieutenant Governor Tuesday evening, 10 days after he failed the win the Republican State Committee’s endorsement for the office.

Watkins, who planned to notify state committee members of his decision of an e-mail, was seen by many as the only candidate who could run a viable campaign against the party’s endorsed candidate, Bucks County Commissioner Jim Cawley. In an interview with pa2010.com, he said it’s…

February 23, 2010 at 4:45 pm | Comments (9)

Beiler’s staying in Lt. Gov. race

Chet Beiler is staying put.

The former Lancaster GOP chairman told pa2010.com on Saturday that he’ll continue to run for Lieutenant Governor, despite not winning the state party’s endorsement earlier this month. His most immediate focus is getting on the ballot, a challenge compounded by the likelihood that Republican leaders will look for ballot signatures to challenge. Candidates need 1,000 signatures to get on the ballot, but some election lawyers recommend getting at least three…

February 20, 2010 at 7:58 pm | Comments (12)

ChesCo Dems don’t endorse for guv, senate (Updated)

WEST CHESTER—Democratic candidate for governor and senate came here Saturday to court local Democrats, but no one left with enough support to win a formal endorsement from the Chester County party.

Stumping to an audience that included some of his own constituents, Congressman Joe Sestak (D-7) delivered an impassioned speech in which he walked up and down the aisles—but failed to win an endorsement on what was partly his home turf.

“This is gut-check time for Democrats,” Sestak said to applause. “If there was ever a time not to back down it’s now. It’s not the united states of America that needs reform, it’s the united states Congress, and particularly the Senate. We should have a principled compromise, not a compromise of principle.”

February 20, 2010 at 7:29 pm | Comments (47)

Off-the-cuff with Jonathan Saidel

WEST CHESTER—Leave it Jonathan Saidel to keep things lighthearted.

The former Philadelphia City Controller has continued to traverse the state in recent days to court the endorsements of local Democratic parties, even as he increasingly looks like a lock to win the primary. After winning the support of the Chester County Democratic Committee here Saturday—on a voice vote as the only candidate nominated for consideration—Saidel treated local committee members to the kind of off-the-cuff riffing…

February 20, 2010 at 6:01 pm | Comments (5)

Johnson, Sellers fare well in BerksCo

Republican insiders from Berks County sent a decidedly anti-establishment message this week, when their non-binding straw poll vote showed strong support for Lieutenant Governor candidate Steve Johnson and 6th District congressional candidate Patrick Sellers.

The votes did not reflect a formal endorsement, but were nonetheless indicative of at least some unrest among rank-and-file party insiders. A Johnson campaign insider said the York County businessman won 56 votes, compared to 17 for reform leader Russ Diamond…

February 19, 2010 at 3:40 pm | Comments (5)

Another Dem emerges for Lt. Gov.

Almost two weeks after the state Democratic Party overwhelmingly endorsed Jonathan Saidel for Lieutenant Governor, a Centre County state lawmaker is gearing up for a late push at the second-ticket office.

State Representative Scott Conklin (D-Centre) is gathering signatures to get on the ballot, The Centre Daily Times reports. He is circulating nominating petitions both for Lt. Gov. and for reelection.

If he decides to get into the race full-throttle, he would…

February 17, 2010 at 5:32 pm | Comments (18)

Lt. Gov. update: Rizzo’s out, Urban’s hedging his bets

A few days after the state GOP made its endorsement for Lieutenant Governor, the final primary field is still falling into place.

Philadelphia City Councilman Frank Rizzo told The Daily News on Tuesday that he won’t be running. His candidacy never really got off the ground—he made some last summer, but then was quiet for months before promising a late push recently. But he didn’t show up at the Republican State Committee…

February 16, 2010 at 8:13 pm | Comments (1)