Poll shows Corbett leading guv race, but Wagner close

State Attorney General Tom Corbett would top any of his potential Democratic rivals in a general election for governor next year, but state Auditor General Jack Wagner is running just a hair behind him, according to a new poll.

The poll, conducted by Dane & Associates on behalf of the Web site GrassrootsPA, surveyed just over 200 people. The unusually small sample size, coupled with the lack of specifics released, make the poll difficult to…

October 9, 2009 at 12:00 pm | Comments (6)

As Bonusgate nears 1,000 days, activist challenges Corbett

More than 30 months since news of his legislative corruption probe first broke, state Attorney General Tom Corbett was once again hounded Tuesday for not moving fast enough when a political activist called on him to issue a new round of indictments or resign his office while he campaigns for governor.

“All doubt must be removed from the mind of the voter that the investigation is political,” said activist Gene Stilp, noting that Oct. 21…

October 6, 2009 at 4:44 pm | Comments (2)

Gerlach: Budget mess was ‘a long time coming’

Congressman Jim Gerlach (R-6) on Monday called for a halt to the growth of state spending, describing Pennsylvania’s protracted budget impasse “a fundamental fight” between those who want to raise taxes and those who want to rein in spending.

“This was a long time coming because of the growth and spending at the state level,” Gerlach said on Pittsburgh’s WMNY Radio.

During an interview in which he rehashed much of his fiscal and budgeting platform,…

October 5, 2009 at 4:49 pm | Comments (1)

In attacking Corbett’s endorsement, Dems may have misfired

The state Democratic Party last week blasted Attorney General and GOP gubernatorial hopeful Tom Corbett for endorsing the Centre County District Attorney’s reelection bid. But in doing so, the party appears to have stretched the facts.

The attack Friday reflected a theme Democrats will increasingly be using as they seek to paint Corbett as ethically suspect for engaging in political activity while simultaneously working as one of the state’s top law enforcement officers—full story

October 5, 2009 at 4:21 pm | Comments (8)

Corbett would top Onorato or Wagner in general election, poll says

If next year’s gubernatorial election ends up as a Pittsburgh scuffle, Republican state Attorney General Tom Corbett is well-positioned to beat either of his potential Democratic opponents from the area.

In a Quinnipiac poll released Wednesday, Corbett leads Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato 47 percent to 27 percent. He leads state Auditor General Jack Wagner 44 percent to 29 percent. In both races, about a quarter of voters remain undecided. The results could be

September 30, 2009 at 9:15 am | Comments (6)

Corbett leads Gerlach big in poll; name recognition key

State Attorney General continues to hold a wide lead over Congressman Jim Gerlach (R-6) in next year’s GOP primary, thanks in large part to the name recognition afforded by two statewide election wins, according to a new poll.

In a Quinnipiac University survey released Wednesday morning, Corbett led Gerlach by almost 30 points, 42 percent to 13 percent, among registered Republicans.

But Gerlach has plenty of reason to think he can close the gap in…

September 30, 2009 at 8:55 am | Comments (6)

State Senator endorses Gerlach

After winning the support of current and former members of Congress, Jim Gerlach is moving down the ladder.

The Republican gubernatorial hopeful’s campaign on Tuesday announced the endorsement of state Senator Mike Waugh (R-York). Waugh, the fourth-highest ranking Senate Republican, worked with Gerlach when they both served in the state legislature. His backing continues to show that Gerlach will find much of his insider support from fellow lawmakers who have worked with him and not…

September 29, 2009 at 1:28 pm | Comments (0)

Thornburgh makes two former guvs endorsing Corbett

Former Gov. Dick Thornburgh endorsed Tom Corbett for governor Friday, giving the state Attorney General’s bid for the Governor’s Mansion the backing of two former residents in as many days.

A day after former Gov. Tom Ridge endorsed Corbett, a Republican, Thornburgh, who was a two-term governor in the 1980s, said Corbett “possesses the intellect, vision, ideas and energy that will be necessary to lead Pennsylvania, and turn around our ailing economy.”

“As a Pennsylvania…

September 27, 2009 at 7:30 pm | Comments (2)

Ridge endorses Corbett for governor

Former Gov. Tom Ridge on Thursday endorsed state Attorney General Tom Corbett’s gubernatorial bid, giving Corbett a boost from one of the state’s most visible Republicans.

“I share Tom Corbett’s vision for a 21st Century Pennsylvania,” Ridge said in a statement. “He understands that a competitive business environment is necessary to grow family-sustaining jobs. He believes in responsible and competent government. He is committed to removing the onerous regulations and red tape that burden our…

September 24, 2009 at 4:35 pm | Comments (2)

Peterson endorses Gerlach

Former Congressman John Peterson endorsed Jim Gerlach for governor Thursday, continuing a string of support that Gerlach has lined up from his current and former House colleagues.

Peterson represented the state’s mostly rural 5th Congressional District for 12 years before deciding not to seek reelection last year. In a statement, he called Gerlach “the only Republican with the kind of record to not only hit the ground running on day one, but have a positive,…

September 24, 2009 at 1:18 pm | Comments (1)