Four Democrats are seeking their party’s nomination for governor on Tuesday, while vulnerable Gov. Tom Corbett is unopposed on the Republican ticket.
The Democratic candidates generally agree on the issues, and it would have been nice to have former Auditor General Jack Wagner remain in the race to present a more moderate voice, but he had no money after a late entry.
The Northeast Times endorses U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz in the Democratic primary for governor.
Schwartz would make a seamless transition to Harrisburg. After all, she spent 14 years as a state senator before being elected to Congress in 2004.
In the U.S. House, she has delivered more than $100 million in transportation funds to her district in Northeast Philadelphia and Montgomery County, helping to spur economic development. That would be a priority of hers as governor.
Other vital issues she would stress as governor include increased funding for state universities, along with a two-year tuition freeze; an increase in the income eligibility for college students seeking state grants; an increase in the income ceiling for senior citizens applying for property tax/rent rebates; higher grants for the children of disabled veterans enrolling in college; a ban on gifts for executive branch employees; and enactment of campaign contribution limits.
A Schwartz/Corbett campaign would give voters a clear choice in November.
The other candidates are Katie McGinty, Tom Wolf and Rob McCord.
McGinty is a Rhawnhurst native and Resurrection of Our Lord Grammar School and St. Hubert High School graduate who formerly served as secretary of the state Department of Environmental Protection. Her campaign has focused on jobs and schools.
Wolf is a York County businessman and former secretary of the state Department of Revenue. He’s proposed “A Fresh Start” plan that concentrates on jobs, education, infrastructure and reform.
McCord is in his second term as state treasurer. He’d impose a whopping 10-percent tax on natural gas drilling and increase the minimum wage to $10.70 an hour in 2015, then add 10 cents per hour to the wage each year through 2024. ••
