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 (3)

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…

March 12, 2010 at 6:45 pm | Comments (5)

LEFTOVERS: More Rangel money, Rendell on Corbett’s head, the Dem holdouts on health care

A busy weekend in western Pennsylvania sure makes it hard keep up.

Charles Rangel may have resigned his House Ways & Means chairmanship, but that doesn’t mean Democrats are free of Republican attacks about him. Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper (D-3) appears to be the favored target as of late, because unlike many other Democrats, she hasn’t given back or donated campaign contribution from Rangel or his affiliated political action committees. One of her potential GOP opponents,…

March 7, 2010 at 11:56 pm | Comments (1)

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)

Poll: Guv race mostly unchanged

Less than three months before the primary, the political landscape in the race for governor remains mostly the same as voters wait to learn more about the candidate, according to a new poll.

The Franklin & Marshall College survey released Wednesday showed Attorney General Tom Corbett with a comfortable lead over state Representative Sam Rohrer (R-Berks) in the GOP primary, while the Democratic contest is still wide open. Corbett leads Rohrer 26 percent to four…

February 24, 2010 at 10:27 am | Comments (6)

LEFTOVERS: More on the 12th, Cook downgrades Kanjorski, Rohrer on the ‘rebellion’

The pieces are almost done coming together in the 12th Congressional District. Friend-of-the-site Alex Roarty reports that wealthy Crown America Mark Pasquerilla is seriously considering a run. Though he has been a Murtha supporter in the past, Pasquerilla is a registered Republican whose ability to self-fund a campaign could rival that of fellow GOPer Tim Burns.

Alex also tells us that state Representatives Jeff Pyle (R-Indiana) and Dave Reed (R-Indiana), as well…

February 18, 2010 at 11:30 pm | Comments (3)

Campaigns start the petition push

Tuesday is the first day that candidates can begin gathering the signatures needed to get on the May primary ballot, and their campaigns were ready to hit the ground running even before the sun came up.

Candidate for congress need 1,000 signatures from registered voters in their respective parties who reside in their respective districts, while statewide candidates need 2,000 signatures. Each campaign has through March 9 to complete the process, and each campaign will…

February 16, 2010 at 7:45 am | Comments (1)

In Rohrer’s rival event, messaging and field strategy intersect

As his primary opponent was celebrating an endorsement from the state Republican Party Saturday, state Representative Sam Rohrer (R-Berks) was celebrating an achievement of a different sort: his gubernatorial campaign’s increasingly central role in building, fostering—and if he has his way, harnessing—a local political movement that exists very much outside the party structure.

For months now, Rohrer and his supporters have vowed that their grassroots energy will overcome the political strength of a state GOP…

February 14, 2010 at 5:01 pm | Comments (1)

Cawley wins GOP Lt. Gov. endorsement; Corbett and Toomey cruise (Updated)

Pennsylvania’s endorsed GOP ticket is set.

Bucks County Commissioner Jim Cawley won a hard-fought endorsement for Lieutenant Governor from the Republican State Committee Saturday, taking the victory on second-ballot voting shortly after party insiders also endorsed former Congressman Pat Toomey for Senate and Attorney General Tom Corbett for Governor.

Support for Toomey and Corbett hadn’t been in doubt for months, so it was the second-ticket spot that drew the most drama. A crowded field forced…

February 13, 2010 at 3:11 pm | Comments (17)