Schuylkill Co Dems back Jack

By WAGNER FOR GOVERNOR

PORT CARBON (Mar. 11, 2010) – The Schuylkill County Democratic Committee has announced its unanimous endorsement of Auditor General Jack Wagner for Governor.

“Jack has been a friend to Schuylkill County throughout his career,” said Edward Kleha, Chair of the Schuylkill County Democratic Committee. “It is our pleasure to unanimously endorse him, and we look forward to making him Pennsylvania’s next Governor.”

Wagner said that he was honored by the endorsement from his friends in Schuylkill County. “I look forward to working with these and other local 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. In February, 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 also been endorsed by 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.

Wagner was the top vote-getter at the Democratic State Committee’s endorsement meeting in February, 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. Since that meeting, Wagner has been endorsed by local elected officials and party leaders in Warren, Lackawanna, and Schuylkill Counties.

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.

Our country, Commonwealth, communities, and families are facing monumental economic challenges. You know these challenges are serious, and you experience them every day. You know that state government must be reformed to build a stronger future. That is why Jack is running for Governor. Visit our website to contribute and join the team.

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