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Watkins nearing decision on Lt. Gov. race

Longtime Republican operative Joe Watkins will soon decide whether or not to join the crowded primary field for Lieutenant Governor.

Watkins, a frequent guest on MSNBC, has been pushed by many Republicans as a different kind of candidate whose background and Philadelphia base would be a fitting complement to top-ticket gubernatorial front-runner Tom Corbett. After Senator Arlen Specter switched parties earlier this year, Watkins was even floated as a possible Senate candidate. But since then, his name has increasingly come up in discussions about the Lt. Gov. race, most recently when he was the first party insider to kick-in $2,000 toward the state GOP in its candidate challenge for the race.

In a brief interview Monday, Watkins, who is also pastor at a Philadelphia church, said he was talking to his family and would make “some kind of an announcement” in the next few weeks. He provided only minimal hints as to which way he was leaning, but insiders who have spoken to him say it seems more and more likely he’ll get in.

“It would be an honor to serve my fellow Pennsylvanians, lots of people are talking to me about it and I’m so excited about it,” Watkins said about the prospect of running.

“I’m just talking with my wife and kids and my close friends about it,” he added. “I’m really grateful for the support I’m getting at this early stage.”

Numerous Republicans are mobilizing to run for the bottom-ticket primary, while few Democrats have declared their candidacy so far.

November 2, 2009 at 6:00 pm

--Dan Hirschhorn

Tags: Joe Watkins, Lt. Gov.

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