By Alex Roarty
PoliticsPA Staff Writer
roarty@politicspa.com
HARRISBURG – Joe Hoeffel and his political aides have tried to cultivate the Democratic candidate’s image as a southeast candidate with progressive principles since he announced his gubernatorial run last year.
On Tuesday, he and his campaign tried to reinforce that theme during one of three official campaign kick-off events across the state, this one in the Capitol. A small platoon of southeast lawmakers, one after another, said during a press conference that the Montgomery County commissioner paved the way for Democratic politicians to find success in the once-conservative area.
His success, they said, makes him the best choice to bring a progressive voice to the governor’s residence.
“Joe was the trend-setter in Montgomery County, winning races that other Democrats were having a hard time winning,” said state Rep. Tim Briggs (D-Montgomery). “The growth of the Democratic Party in Montgomery County, I really give a lot of credit to Joe for making that happen.
“He’s the progressive voice in Harrisburg that we need to fight for the issues I care about: educating our kids, protecting the environment,” the lawmaker said. “He’s really going to reach out to the whole region, the whole state.”
Hoeffel faces a tough battle to win his party’s gubernatorial nomination. Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato, Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty, and Auditor General Jack Wagner are also running, with Onorato considered the early frontrunner.
The former U.S. Senate candidate has tried to distinguish himself from the field by positioning himself as a progressive social-issue advocate. His event Tuesday featured a speech from former NARAL Pro-Choice America President Kate Michelman, who said she has no doubt that Hoeffel understands the importance of protecting abortion-rights.
“There is one leader, one leader who we can depend on … to be there for women and families during the tough times, and that’s Joe Hoeffel,” said Michelman, who joined Hoeffel’s campaign last week as director of his “Women for Hoeffel” group.
Hoeffel himself, in prepared remarks, left little doubt he sees himself as the liberal candidate.
“I want to leader the Democratic Party to the progressive center of Pennsylvania politics, with a firm commitment to values that are socially liberal and programs that are fiscally responsible,” he said. “I will focus relentlessly on creating jobs, improving public schools and expanding health care.
“Ronald Reagan was wrong,” Hoeffel said, a common refrain of his on the campaign stump. “Government is not the enemy. Our government is us. We need our government to be open, honest and ethical. We need our government to invest in the future, create opportunity for everyone, and improve the quality of life for all.”
The positioning might give Hoeffel an advantage with socially liberal Democrats in the southeast, particularly against conservative Democrats Onorato and Wagner. The Allegheny County executive has sought to appeal to the party’s liberal base by emphasizing he won’t change any of the state’s abortion laws while focusing his message almost entirely on turning around the state’s ailing economy.
The southeast candidate’s biggest obstacle remains fundraising. He has raised just $400,000 thus far, substantially less than Onorato’s $8 million.
Lawmakers joining Hoeffel at his event Tuesday included Reps. Josh Shapiro, Greg Vitali, Mark Cohen, Bob Freeman and Barbara McIlvaine-Smith.
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