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Former congressman endorses Wagner

A former western Pennsylvania congressman backed Democrat Jack Wagner for governor Wednesday, saying the state auditor general “has been a reformer of government all his political life.”

The endorsement by Frank Mascara, who served four terms in Pennsylvania’s now-defunct 20th District, came with the clock ticking down toward primary day and rival Dan Onorato’s support growing in the midst of the campaign’s first advertising blitz. Wagner has much of the support from local party leaders and rank-and-file members, but has struggled to convert that into the type of fundraising base needed to run a competitive statewide campaign.

“Public leaders must be accountable, and I believe that no one has ever done a better job as watchdog of our taxpayers’ money than Auditor General Jack Wagner has for the people of Pennsylvania,” Mascara said in a statement. “He is trusted. He is proven. He is independent. And I vouch for Jack Wagner as someone I know, and who remains a true friend today.”

Mascara served in Congress from 1995 to 2003. He was also a longtime controller and commissioner in Washington County.

“Jack’s word is his bond,” he said, “and his message is constant.”

April 7, 2010 at 12:57 pm

--Dan Hirschhorn

Tags: Dan Onorato, Frank Mascara, Jack Wagner

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