Gov. Tom Corbett will kick off his re-election campaign this week with a series of events that include a stop in Fox Chase.
Corbett will speak to supporters on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at Corp. John Louderslager American Legion Post 366, at 7976 Oxford Ave.
Republicans Corbett and Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley are not expected to have serious challenges in next May’s primary.
However, a crowded Democratic primary is forming as Corbett’s job approval ratings have been low.
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One of those challengers, U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz, last week won the endorsement of the Philadelphia Democratic City Committee. She is being backed by leaders in all 66 wards.
“We know that, as governor, Allyson will bring the same commitment to finding solutions for Pennsylvania’s families that she has as a state senator and United States congresswoman,” said Bob Brady, the city committee chairman and a congressman.
“I am honored by this endorsement and have been proud that they have stood with me on behalf of our city’s residents during my time representing voters in both Northeast and Northwest Philadelphia,” Schwartz said.
Schwartz represents the 13th District, which is split between Montgomery County and Philadelphia. She has received the endorsements of the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers, Pennsylvania State Council of Sheet Metal Workers, United Mine Workers of America, United Steel Workers Local 10–1, Boilermakers Local 19 and Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals.
In related news, Schwartz called on the School Reform Commission to sell School District of Philadelphia artwork to reduce a budget shortfall.
“Philadelphia’s students, families and teachers deserve every available dollar to be put toward classroom learning. It is unreasonable for the district to hold on to artwork that could be worth millions while schools don’t have nurses, students lack books, and teachers face layoffs. Sellings the district’s vast collections of artwork is only one step toward solving the budget crisis facing Philadelphia public schools, but it is an action that should be taken immediately in light of the serious fiscal issues. Right now, the district doesn’t even know how much this art is worth and where it is all stored. This lack of oversight and accountability is unacceptable.”
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Another Democratic candidate for governor, state Treasurer Rob McCord, picked up several union endorsements last week. Among them is one from the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776.
“As state treasurer, Rob has stood on the side of working men and women on issues that include jobs, the economy and a fair budget,” said Wendell Young IV, president of Local 1776. “Rob has made clear that he supports the jobs of the 3,500 UFCW members who work in our publicly owned Pennsylvania wine and spirits stores. He knows these members work diligently to provide the commonwealth with great service and safety while helping to generate millions of dollars a year that benefits all Pennsylvania taxpayers … Rob will be a great governor and he will be sure Pennsylvania starts investing in working families again.”
The Pittsburgh-based International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 5 is also with McCord.
“The combination of Rob McCord’s business and job-creation experience, his education and his values, and his work ethic and proven ability to get things done is what we need at this time to get Pennsylvania moving forward again,” said Mike Dunleavy, Local 5’s business manager..
Also, McCord has the backing of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). ••
