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Cawley moves toward Lt. Gov. run

Bucks County Commissioner Jim Cawley took a step toward running for Lieutenant Governor Tuesday, when he announced formation of an exploratory committee to seek the Republican nomination for the office.

If Cawley ultimately runs, he will join a packed crowd of Republican hopefuls that includes state lawmakers, municipal leaders and other candidates. Few Democrats are seeking the office so far.

“I have high goals for Pennsylvania: restore public trust in Harrisburg, bring innovation to state government so that it works for the people and create economic growth so that our children can find good paying career sustaining jobs in our Commonwealth,” Cawley said in a statement.

“I believe my experience as Commissioner provides me with the necessary skills to bring common sense approach to government that that is needed in Harrisburg,” he added.

UPDATE: Here’s Cawley’s full release below.

Commissioner Jim Cawley Announces Exploratory Committee
To Be Pennsylvania’s Next Lieutenant Governor

A Proven record of reform and innovation.

Doylestown, Bucks County — Commissioner Jim Cawley is officially announcing an exploratory committee to seek the Republican nomination for Lieutenant Governor. Commissioner Cawley has a proven record of reform and innovation in Bucks County saving taxpayers millions of dollars.  Jim has worked hard putting himself through college and law school.  The son of a mail carrier and secretary, Jim understands that only through hard work can we achieve our goals.
“ I have high goals for Pennsylvania: restore public trust in Harrisburg, bring innovation to state government so that it works for the people and create economic growth so that our children can find good paying career sustaining jobs in our Commonwealth,” Cawley said.
Cawley, a Republican and a lifelong Pennsylvanian is currently serving his fifth year as County Commissioner for Bucks County.  Between 2001 and 2004, he was an associate with the law firm of Rudolph, Pizzo and Clarke LLC, and served as Chief of Staff to Senator Robert “Tommy” Tomlinson.
Cawley said, “I believe my experience as Commissioner provides me with the necessary skills to bring common sense approach to government that that is needed in Harrisburg.”
In his tenure as Commissioner, Jim Cawley has held the line on taxes for three years and helped save millions with the creation of an employee efficiency program called Bucks Employee Savings Taxes (BEST).   He has increased the county’s bond rating to its highest level ever, improved public safety by opening a new state of the art 911 Center and spearhead the building of a new fire training facility.  An advocate for preserving energy and natural resources he helped expand the highly successful Open Space Preservation Initiative and helped create the Bucks Employees Green Initiative (BEGIN) which utilizes the ideas of county employees to implement cost saving measures to reduce the county’s energy needs and costs including an award winning recycling program.  Passionate about education, Jim helped expand the Bucks County Community College by opening a Lower Bucks campus and expanding the Upper Bucks campus.  Early this year he formed and currently co-chairs the Bucks County Economic Development Advisory Board (EDAB), a board that unites influential members of the county community in the common goal of strengthening business initiatives, implementation and marketing.
In addition Commissioner Cawley has long been active in charitable and civic affairs.  He is a former member of the board of directors for Lower Bucks Hospital, a former member of the Bristol Township School Board, a former trustee of Bucks County Community College and a former Commonwealth trustee of Temple University.
He currently serves as Vice President of Community Relations for the Bucks County Council, Boy Scouts of America and is a member of the Board of Advisors for both St. Mary Medical Center and Conwell-Egan Catholic High School. Additionally, Commissioner Cawley sits on the boards of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission and the Delaware Valley Regional Finance Authority. He is also on the board of directors of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania and chair of the Energy, Environment and Land Use Committee. Commissioner Cawley is a member of the Bucks County Bar Association, and is on the board of trustees for their Charitable Foundation. He is also serves on the board of directors of the Bucks County Transportation Management Association (TMA).
A Graduate of Bishop Egan High School, Bristol Township, he holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Temple University, College or Arts and Science.  He received his Jurist Doctorate from Temple University, School of Law.  Commissioner Cawley and his wife, Suzanne, reside in Middletown Township, Bucks County.

September 22, 2009 at 5:52 pm

--Dan Hirschhorn

Tags: Jim Cawley, Lt. Gov.

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