While some states have shifted in the latest ratings, Pennsylvania’s 2022 governor’s race remains as a Toss Up, according to this national ratings outlet.
In the Cook Political Report’s latest Governor ratings for the 2021 and 2022 cycles, Pennsylvania is listed as one of three states that are considered to be Toss Ups.
Arizona and Kansas are the other two states currently in the same category. In Cook’s initial Governor ratings released in February, Arizona and Maryland were the other two states listed as Toss Ups, along with the Keystone State.
Cook also provides a list of potential candidates in the “2021/2022 Governors At-A-Glance” analysis.
“This list of potential candidates for the 2021/2022 elections is highly speculative and contains names that have been mentioned as either publicly or privately considering candidacies, or worthy of consideration as candidates or recruiting prospects by the parties or interest groups,” the analysis states. “The numerical key indicating our assessment of each person’s likelihood of running is obviously important, given the “long and dirty” nature of this list, which will be updated each week.”
Although Gov. Tom Wolf being term-limited in 2022, there’s only a few Democrats listed as potential candidates, while the Republican field appears to be more crowded.
Under the Democratic Party potential candidate list, Cook names Attorney General Josh Shapiro, former Treasurer Joe Torsella, and Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney.
No Democrat has formally announced a bid for Governor yet.
Cook mentions the following names under the GOP column: U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, former Congressman Lou Barletta, state Sens. Camera Bartolotta and Doug Mastriano, Pennsylvania Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman, former Lt. Governor Jim Cawley, former state Senator and 2018 Governor candidate Scott Wagner, former Lt. Governor candidate Jeff Bartos, former Pennsylvania House Speaker Mike Turzai, former Pennsylvania Senate Majority Leader Dave Reed, former Lackawanna County Commissioner Laureen Cummings, and former Corry Mayor Jason Monn.
Barletta, Jason Richey, an Allegheny County resident and partner at Pittsburgh’s K&L Gates law firm, and Dr. Nche Zama formally announced their entrance into the race last week, while Monn joined the race in April, and Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Gale launched a campaign for Governor in February.
Cook Political Report’s final 2018 ratings listed the Governor’s race between Gov. Tom Wolf (D) and GOP state Sen. Scott Wagner as “Likely Democratic.” In 2014, Cook’s final ratings placed the race between Gov. Tom Corbett (R) and Democratic challenger Tom Wolf as “Likely Democratic.”
See Cook Political Report’s full 2021/2022 Governors At-A-Glance here.
4 Responses
LMMMFFAAOOOO!!!!!
Dr. Zama is an interesting choice. Outside of the political mainstream, probably the smartest person on either side and nobody else on either side would have a larger understanding of what we have faced and will face with Covid. Literally everyone else on the list is a retread, career politician who has ran for multiple offices. I’m guessing the Doctor doesn’t need to do this. He seems to be the only one on either side getting into the race for the right reasons.
Leo, being smart doesn’t mean you can get elected. Is he a good public speaker? Can he do 6 days a week x 15 hr days of smiling and figuratively kissing dogs/babies/jerks without a gaffe? Does he have a fundraising base to draw on to launch him into the race? Does he understand how policy works and the intersection of politics?
I have met a lot of Dr.’s who are brilliant in medicine/science, but have zero clue how to work with people and get elected.
Vote for DUHg Mastriano. I will lie my way to wherever I need to be.
Laureen Cummings…. I just shat my britches laughing at that. Keep up the great comedy politicspa.