Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley
Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley believes it is still too early to pay close attention to polls, most of which show Gov. Tom Corbett losing big to Democrat Tom Wolf.
There are about eight weeks to go until Election Day, and the lieutenant governor said he and Corbett will continue to do what they think is right for the state.
“Tom Corbett and Jim Cawley don’t govern by polls,” he said.
Cawley, a former Bucks County commissioner, visited the Times office last Thursday to discuss the race. He is campaigning throughout the state, with a particular emphasis on Southeastern Pennsylvania.
Wolf, a wealthy York County businessman and former secretary of the state Department of Revenue, is teamed with state Sen. Mike Stack on the Democratic ticket.
Cawley, who serves as president of the Senate, said he has a cordial relationship with Stack. He’d look forward to outlining Corbett’s vision in a debate with Stack.
Both men will be appearing separately at Wesley Enhanced Living Pennypack Park at upcoming breakfast meetings of the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. Stack will appear this Friday, Sept. 12. Cawley will appear on Oct. 3.
Cawley said he and Corbett deserve to be re-elected because they’ve restored fiscal discipline and created 180,000 jobs, eliminating a $4.2 billion deficit and lowering the unemployment rate from 8.2 percent to a five-year low of 5.7 percent.
“We made good on the promises we made as candidates four years ago,” he said. “Pennsylvania is moving in the right direction. Pennsylvania is on the right track. Pennsylvania is open for business.”
Cawley credited Wolf with running early, effective television ads that helped him crush Allyson Schwartz, Rob McCord and Katie McGinty in the primary.
The lieutenant governor faulted Wolf for advocating for higher personal income, garbage and home heating oil taxes while he was revenue secretary. In this campaign, Wolf has suggested he’d implement a graduated income tax, making higher earners pay more.
Win or lose, Cawley might have a decision to make in 2016. U.S. Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick, a Republican, is favored to be re-elected this year. Fitzpatrick has promised to serve no more than four two-year terms, meaning this campaign will be his last.
Cawley indicated that he would be less likely to run for Congress if he remained lieutenant governor. If he and Corbett are turned out of office, he’d probably be the natural GOP choice in the 8th Congressional District in two years.
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The National Women’s Political Caucus endorsed Republican Megan Rath in the 1st Congressional District.
Rath, a healthcare professional, is challenging Democratic Rep. Bob Brady.
“The National Women’s Political Caucus is excited to support and endorse a Republican candidate who shares our commitment to women’s rights,” stated NWPC President Linda Young. “We are eager to see her advocate for equal rights in Congress.”
The NWPC has endorsed 57 women running this year for the U.S. Senate and House. Rath is the only Republican to get the nod.
The caucus was founded by, among others, Betty Friedan, the first president of the National Organization for Women; Gloria Steinem, co-founder of Ms. magazine; and the late ultra-liberal New York Congresswoman Bella Abzug.
Rath, a graduate of Penn State, has worked nine years as an independent healthcare sales consultant for Biomet Inc. She dedicates her free time to working with women who have been victims of sex trafficking or prostitution.
“We are confident that Megan Rath’s compassion and dedication to Pennsylvania’s women and families will make a difference in Congress,” said Donna Lent, the NWPC’s vice president for political planning. “She comes from a background separate and unique from those of a career politician.”
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The Committee of Seventy, Philadelphia’s nonpartisan government watchdog, launched a new 1–855-SEVENTY toll-free hotline to answer questions about elections and voting from all voters in Southeastern Pennsylvania.
The hotline will be open year-round on weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
For more information, go to www.seventy.org ••
