Lackawanna County Dems back Jack

By JACK WAGNER FOR GOVERNOR

Scranton (Mar. 2, 2010) – The Lackawanna County Democratic Committee last night announced its endorsement of Auditor General Jack Wagner for Governor.

“The committee has found Jack’s record as Pittsburgh City Council President, State Senator, and Auditor General to be outstanding,” said Harry McGrath, Chairman of the Lackawanna County Democratic Committee. “He also has a proven track record as a statewide vote-getter.”

“Jack possesses the integrity, leadership, and accountability that is needed in the Governor’s office,” said John O’Boyle, a member of the Lackawanna County Democratic Committee’s Executive Committee.

Wagner said that he was honored by the endorsement and excited by the momentum his campaign continues to build. “I look forward to working with Lackawanna County leaders on the important issues facing Pennsylvania in the months and years ahead.”

As Governor, Auditor General Wagner’s top priorities for Pennsylvania will include: providing a HOPE Scholarship Program to help families afford the cost of higher education, maintaining vital government services without raising taxes, reforming state government, maximizing the state’s new Marcellus Shale energy resources to create jobs and reduce the cost of natural gas in an environmentally responsible way, and creating high quality jobs to grow our economy.

Wagner, twice elected with bipartisan support as the state’s independent fiscal watchdog, received record-breaking vote totals in his re-election in 2008. As a gubernatorial candidate, he has earned endorsements and support across the state. Most recently, he was endorsed by the Pennsylvania Restaurant Association, which represents more than 7,000 Pennsylvania restaurants and foodservice establishments. Pennsylvania’s restaurant industry plays an integral role in the state’s economy, employing more than 470,000 people and generating $16.2 billion in annual sales.

He has been endorsed by dozens of local elected officials and party leaders, the affiliated political action committee of the Pennsylvania Business Council, and Henry Nicholas, President of the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees, AFSCME, AFL-CIO, and President of District 1199c of the national union.

In addition, Wagner was the top vote-getter at the Democratic State Committee’s endorsement meeting, earning more than 50 percent of the vote and twice the total of his nearest opponent. He earned the majority of votes in 43 county caucuses, including Chester County.

Wagner is a decorated Vietnam War combat veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, former member and president of the Pittsburgh City Council, and former state senator representing Allegheny County. Between the time of his military service and his service as an elected public official, Wagner worked his way through college on the GI Bill and as a paramedic, followed by six years working as a Certified Safety Professional helping to ensure that businesses provide safe work environments for their employees.

More information about Jack Wagner, his record of reform, and his campaign for Governor can be found at www.jackwagner.org.

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