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Jul 10, 2009 5:12 pm US/Eastern
Auditor General Jack Wagner To Run For Governor
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
For months everyone's known that Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato is running for governor next year.
Now he faces his most formidable opponent -- a man who actually defeated him for state senate years ago.
That's Auditor General Jack Wagner.
Wagner says he will run for governor and he's not afraid of all Onorato's campaign money.
"I have every intention of running for governor. I have not formally announced, but, incidentally, no one else has either," Jack Wagner said at a taping of the KD-PG Sunday Edition show.
The Beechview native was as clear as could be that he will run for governor next year.
Wagner, once a state senator and president of Pittsburgh City Council, just won a landslide reelection as the state's fiscal watchdog.
"I was honored to get more votes than anyone in the history of running for auditor general -- more votes than Barack Obama last year -- more than anyone on the ticket," he said.
A proven vote-getter, Wagner is generally considered both a socially and fiscally conservative Democrat.
"I want to be governor because Pennsylvania has not maximized its potential," he said. "Obviously, we're talking about some issues right now where this government needs to be operated in a more efficient and more effective manner without tax increases."
But Wagner is way behind Onorato in fundraising with only $300,000 in the bank to Onorato's $4 million.
"I am focused on doing a good job. Some others may be focused on raising money. The people elected me for a purpose," he says.
Wagner says he's ratcheting up his fund-raising and dismisses Onorato's money.
"The public will judge me and whoever is running for governor next year based on their vision for Pennsylvania."
Wagner and Onorato may not be the only Democratic candidates.
Philadelphia businessman Tom Knox, who came in second for mayor in Philadelphia, says he may run.
And Montgomery County commissioner Joe Hoeffel may toss his hat in the ring, too.
With the primary election more than ten months away, watch for candidates to come and go in the next few months.
The KD/PG Sunday Edition airs on Sunday on KDKA-TV at 11:30 a.m.
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