In other political news: Northeast community activist John Fritz recently announced that he will be a candidate for the Republican nomination in the 13th Congressional District in the May 20 primary. PHOTO COURTESY OF FACEBOOK
U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz’s gubernatorial campaign last week announced that it raised $6.5 million in 2013.
The campaign raised the funds from more than 8,000 individual donors from every county in Pennsylvania, and from across the country.
A little more than $3 million of that total was transferred from her federal campaign committee.
“With over 8,000 individual contributors from all 67 Pennsylvania counties, our campaign’s broad grassroots support shows Pennsylvanians are excited about Allyson bringing a different type of leadership to Harrisburg that takes on the status quo,” campaign manager Corey Dukes said. “As the commonwealth’s next governor, she’ll bring high expectations, effective leadership and a bold vision for Pennsylvania’s future.”
Detailed financial reports are due to the state by Jan. 31.
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Six of seven Democrats lead Republican Gov. Tom Corbett in a survey released by Quinnipiac University.
Corbett leads John Hanger, former secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection, 42 percent to 37 percent.
Former Auditor General Jack Wagner, who has not announced his candidacy, leads Corbett 48 percent to 36 percent.
Others leading Corbett are U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz (45–37), State Treasurer Rob McCord (42–39), former DEP Secretary Katie McGinty (44–37), Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski (41–39) and former state Department of Revenue Secretary Tom Wolf (44–37).
The poll did not include Lebanon County Commissioner Jo Ellen Litz or Max Myers, a pastor, businessman and author from Cumberland County.
Mike Barley, campaign manager for Corbett and Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley, released the following statement: “Governor Corbett continues to keep his promises to the people of Pennsylvania to keep taxes low, spur growth and create jobs in the private sector. Governor Corbett expects to have a close election next year, as all races in Pennsylvania are close. These numbers represent the millions of dollars that have been spent by liberal special-interest groups distorting the facts on the air these past three years, and in 2014, the governor will be telling the real story of Pennsylvania moving forward.”
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Barley also commented on a jobs report showing Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate down to 7.3 percent.
More than 149,000 private sector jobs have been created since Corbett took office in 2011.
“Despite Washington, D.C.’s failures that are holding us back, Governor Corbett is putting Pennsylvania back on track. Governor Corbett’s leadership reforming Harrisburg, reducing wasteful spending, keeping taxes low, building a stronger energy sector and investing in a 21st-century, first-class transportation network and workforce is spurring private sector growth and creating more opportunities for future generations,” Barley said.
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Meanwhile, U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey has endorsed Corbett and Cawley.
Toomey credited Corbett and Cawley with preserving the fiscal health of the state for future generations.
“Under the leadership of the Corbett-Cawley team, fiscal discipline has returned to Harrisburg. Whether it was eliminating a $4.2 billion deficit without raising taxes, or enabling the private sector to create 141,000 jobs, Gov. Corbett has consistently championed policies to protect the tax dollars of hard-working Pennsylvanians,” he said. “That is an impressive achievement few governors can claim.”
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Toomey is up for re-election, and a new poll has him leading two potential Democratic opponents.
Harper Polling used an interactive voice response automated telephone survey to contact 604 likely voters on Dec. 21–22.
Toomey led state Attorney General Kathleen Kane, 49 percent to 44 percent. Seven percent were not sure.
The incumbent was ahead of former congressman Joe Sestak, 49 percent to 42 percent. Nine percent were not sure.
Toomey had double-digit leads in Southwestern Pennsylvania, while he trailed by single digits in the Southeast. He led both Democrats among independents.
Among those surveyed, 41 percent described Toomey as “part of the problem” in Washington, D.C. Thirty-eight percent said he was “part of the solution. The rest were unsure.
Forty-four percent perceive Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Jr. as “part of the problem.” Thirty-five percent believe he is “part of the solution.” The rest were unsure.
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John Fritz, a longtime community activist in the Northeast, announced on New Year’s Eve that he will be a candidate for the Republican nomination in the 13th Congressional District in the May 20 primary.
Fritz, a businessman from Parkwood, addressed supporters at a party at the United Republican Club. He touched on his concern for the poor and military veterans.
A Vietnam War veteran, he supports preferences for veterans in hiring and preservation of all their benefits. He opposes cuts in Social Security.
The candidate also mentioned he supports repeal of Obamacare. He praised a ruling by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor that would exempt churches and related communities from offering contraceptive and abortion services as part of their benefit packages for employees.
The district includes large portions of the Northeast and Montgomery County. Incumbent Democrat Allyson Schwartz is running for governor and will not seek re-election to the House. Four Democrats are seeking their party’s nomination for the seat. ••
