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Auditor Gen. Wagner: 'I'm Running For Governor'

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Jul 20, 2009 4:46 pm US/Eastern

Auditor Gen. Wagner: 'I'm Running For Governor'

VIDEO: Uncut Interview With Auditor General Jack Wagner

Reporting
Jon Delano
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― State Auditor General Jack Wagner has always called himself an independent Democrat.

A fiscal and social conservative, Wagner sees himself as a pragmatic politician.

Right now, he's one of five Democrats looking to run for governor next year -- but, lately, he's been the strongest one to criticize Governor Rendell's tax proposals.

"You're running for governor?" KDKA political editor Jon Delano asked Wagner.

"Yes, I am."

"Why?"

"To maximize the potential of Pennsylvania. I believe that Pennsylvania can reach higher. There are many goals I would like to see us obtain," says Wagner.

Unlike many candidates, Wagner is not dancing around about his desire to be governor -- and he says with so many people hurting now is the time for the state to ease burdens on taxpayers.

"We are living in a different time when we are stressed economically, and Pennsylvania state government must be doing everything that it can to operate in a fiscally sound and efficient manner," he said.

That's why Wagner is one Democrat who opposes Governor Rendell's proposed tax increase and he blames those higher taxes with stalemating the legislature during this budget crisis.

"You can't get past that hurdle, and the sooner the governor and others understand that the greater the potential to put other items on the table such as the ones we have suggested such as going to the rainy day fund," Wagner said.

Wagner is likely to face lots of opposition in the Democratic primary next spring, including Scranton mayor Chris Doherty, Montgomery County commissioner Joe Hoeffel, Philadelphia businessman Tom Knox and Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato.

Wagner won't attack his fellow Pittsburgher Onorato, but he believes his statewide experience trumps Onorato's and he's blunt about Onorato's drink tax.

"Would you have supported a drink tax in Allegheny County?"

"No, I would not have, just as I do not support an income tax increase in Pennsylvania."

While Wagner has greater statewide name recognition as a state official, Onorato has raised the most money so far -- more than 10-to-one over Wagner.

But this election is a long way off, and who knows who will be in the field come next spring.

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