Kane
Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane is vowing to stay in office, a week after Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Vetri Ferman filed charges that she illegally leaked confidential information to the Philadelphia Daily News about a former state prosecutor, then lied about it under oath.
“I am very disappointed the district attorney has made the decision to pursue this case. I have maintained my innocence from the day these allegations surfaced and I continue to do so today. I intend to defend myself vigorously against these charges. I look forward to the opportunity to present my case in a public courtroom and move beyond the behind-the-scenes maneuvering that has defined the process to this point,” she said.
“Meanwhile, I remain committed to leading the Office of Attorney General and doing the job the citizens of this commonwealth elected me to do. A resignation would be an admission of guilt and I’m not guilty. I assure everyone the Office of Attorney General will continue to fulfill its mission to protect and serve the citizens of Pennsylvania.”
Republican Party of Pennsylvania Chairman Rob Gleason released the following statement regarding the indictment of Kane:
“Today marks yet (another) dark chapter in Kathleen Kane’s tenure as attorney general. It seems like every week there’s a new scandal involving the alleged corrupt activities of Democratic elected officials such as Kathleen Kane, Rob McCord and Chaka Fattah. How are Pennsylvanians supposed to have confidence in our government when our own attorney general is under indictment? Kathleen Kane’s alleged actions are disturbing and, if true, have caused severe damage to the integrity of the Office of the Attorney General. It’s sad that the alleged and confirmed corrupt activities of Democratic elected officials has become a recurring theme of 2015.”
Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams issued the following statement about the indictment of Kane:
“As DA Ferman said, this is a bad day for law enforcement; but it’s also a bright one. The affidavit asserts that members of the attorney general’s office have used surreptitious and illegal means to target other prosecutors whose official acts were perceived to harm the AG’s interests. Even the attorney general, however, is not beyond the efforts of local prosecutors, judges and grand jurors to uncover evidence of abuse of office. I’m gratified that the legal process is now proceeding on a proper course.”
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Republicans are criticizing Katie McGinty, who last week announced she was running for the U.S. Senate after just six months as chief of staff to Gov. Tom Wolf.
“Today, Katie McGinty revealed exactly where her priorities lie — with her own ambition rather than what’s best for Pennsylvanians. In the midst of a budget crisis, McGinty abandoned her post to advance her career. She says she wants to go to Washington to ‘solve problems,’ but she couldn’t be bothered to fix Harrisburg’s. Pennsylvanians deserve better,” said Jeff Bechdel, America Rising PAC communications director.
McGinty ran for governor last year, but received just 7.66 percent of the vote in the Democratic primary, finishing last among four candidates.
“Pennsylvania Democrats are so dissatisfied with Congressman Joe Sestak’s candidacy that they are now placing their bets on someone who finished dead last in a four-way Democratic gubernatorial primary last year,” said National Republican Senatorial Committee spokeswoman Andrea Bozek. “It’s bad enough that McGinty is one of the main proponents of the largest tax hike in Pennsylvania history, but her decision to pursue her own political ambitions instead of continuing to work to solve Pennsylvania’s budget problems is proof positive she values her own self interest above that of Pennsylvania’s interests.”
Republican Party of Pennsylvania Chairman Rob Gleason released the following statement regarding McGinty’s campaign:
“Establishment Democrats have finally found someone who’s willing to run against Joe Sestak. For months, Democrats have publicly raised concerns about Joe Sestak’s ability to win a statewide election. After multiple rejections by other possible candidates, Democrats’ best hope to take on Sestak is a candidate who came in last in the gubernatorial primary. With McGinty’s lack of accomplishments, including her role in creating the current budget crisis, and their own pariah Joe Sestak, it looks like Democrats are stuck with a terrible choice between two lackluster candidates in next spring’s primary.”
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Sestak released a statement after McGinty’s entrance into the race, saying the establishment has “let us down.”
The candidate said he wants to be held accountable to the people of Pennsylvania. not party insiders. He did not mention McGinty, but criticized Pat Toomey for “saying one thing in Pennsylvania and voting a different way in Washington, D.C.”
“Washington is still broken. The American dream seems out of reach. Too much is at stake for another six years of an establishment politician. When I’m Pennsylvania’s next senator, the people can be sure that I will be their senator — I won’t owe anything to anyone except accountability to the people,” Sestak said.
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The National Republican Senatorial Committee has launched a month-long billboard campaign in Philadelphia on the Schuylkill Expressway, right before the Walt Whitman Bridge.
The campaign is targeting summer drivers who are heading to the shore in an effort to remind them that Joe Sestak supports a mileage tax that would increase family vacation costs.
“Congressman Sestak is so out-of-touch with Pennsylvania families that he supports raising travel costs on them during the heat of summer travel,” said NRSC spokeswoman Andrea Bozek.
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U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey was happy to hear that Democratic New York Sen. Chuck Schumer has joined a bipartisan group of senators and representatives who oppose the Obama administration’s nuclear deal with Iran.
Schumer highlighted several shortcomings of the agreement, such as the fact that it does not require Iran to abandon its quest to build a nuclear weapon.
Toomey issued the following statement: “Last night, my Democratic colleague from New York, Sen. Chuck Schumer, issued a powerful statement announcing his opposition to the Iran nuclear deal. I appreciate his thoughtful and thorough review of the agreement. Sen. Schumer shares my concerns about inspections that are not ‘anytime, anywhere,’ our inability to re-impose sanctions, and the damage Iran will do as a result of the non-nuclear aspects of this deal. This Senate vote is momentous for our country. I commend Sen. Schumer for his willingness to put aside partisanship, and I encourage my Democratic colleagues to follow his independent path.”
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U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Jr. endorsed Philadelphia Democratic mayoral nominee Jim Kenney last week.
Casey praised Kenney’s commitment to boosting wages for working families in Philadelphia and to expanding early learning for children in the city.
“Throughout years of public service, Jim Kenney has fought tough battles on behalf of working families and vulnerable children. Jim recognizes that when children learn more earlier in life, they earn more later,” Casey said. “I look forward to working with him to move forward on funding for pre-kindergarten education programs and all our public schools to make sure every Pennsylvania child has a fair shot.”
“I am honored to have the senator’s support,” Kenney said. “He will be a crucial partner in Washington in securing the requisite funding for early education programming, infrastructure improvements and transportation to make Philadelphia a world-class city. I look forward to collaborating with him as we address the pressing needs of Philadelphia’s children and working families.” ••
