The field of candidates in this year’s AG Democratic primary has just gotten smaller.
According to Chris Potter of the Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh attorney Dave Fawcett is dropping out of the race.
“It’s been a hard decision,” Fawcett told Potter. “With my courtroom experience and the battles I’ve fought, I thought I’d be right for the job. But statewide races are always geographic, and we don’t need to split the ticket in the west.”
Fawcett had difficulty gaining traction after launching his campaign in November. Coincidentally, we released the results of our latest reader poll this morning, which concerned the Democratic primary in the Attorney General’s race. Fawcett came in last with just nine readers believing he would be the nominee.
His problems were likely the result of the entry of Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala into the race. Zappala’s candidacy robbed Fawcett of the opportunity to be the sole option from western PA.
“As much as Dave has this track record, one of the difficulties he’s got is a very significant candidate also coming out of Allegheny County,” Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald explained.
It would not be surprising to see Fawcett back Zappala, as each talked highly of each other.
“Stephen Zappala holds David Fawcett in the highest regard as a former public official, an attorney and a person of integrity. He truly appreciates David’s kind remarks and will work hard to demonstrate David’s confidence in his candidacy is well placed,” Zappala Campaign Manager Marty Marks said in response.
There was another reason, though, that motivated Fawcett to get out now. Namely, stopping Kathleen Kane from winning the Democratic nomination again.
“You don’t want to split the ticket and allow that to continue,” he said. “In the end, we need a change, period.”
Besides Kane and Zappala, other Democratic candidates include Montgomery County Commissioner Josh Shapiro, Northampton DA John Morganelli and prosecutor Jack Stollsteimer.
9 Responses
I would agree that Kane, as the incumbant who has not been convicted, arguing she was set up by the “old boys club” and the only woman running on the coat tails of Hillary Clinton, very well could sneak in as Shapiro and Zappala are busy with their “I am man, hear me roar” East vs West sword fight. Kathleen is the incumbant who will fight til the death, Josh is the ambitious and aggressive worker and Steve will phone it in from the Pittsburgh’s DA office while perched upon the throne of his machine. No one’s got this locked up.
Zappala is far from a lock. He will be asked questions about the Leon Ford case that he cannot answer. In that case, Zappala heaped the Pittsburgh Police with their cover-up of their shooting of an unarmed teenager. The kid didn’t do anything wrong and ended up paralyzed. The officer lied – saying the kid dragged him thus forcing him to shoot the kid. The video showed he lied. The officer was not dragged at al. And Zappala charged the kid anyway. Leon Ford was laying in a hospital bed recovering from surgery when Zappala approved his charges. Ford was later acquitted. But not before Zappala tried to hide a report that was critical of the Police shooter.
Scranton–In a severely split vote, where the winner need not get more than in the low 20% mark, Kane can win the primary, yes. Particularly as the only woman.
I was also saying that it is far from a lock for Zappala. I don’t believe he is as strong as people seem to think.
Scranton Sucks-
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She has not been found guilty of ANYTHING in a court of law.
So, assuming she’s acquitted/innocent/vindicated… it’s her against 4 guys (two of whom will spend a lot of money attacking each other). Having the west to himself, and having relevant DA experience is going to be a huge help for Zappala over Shapiro. Shapiro has a lot of money and Wolf/Marcel trying to rig the game for him. There are mixed opinions on how much support Shapiro has out of Philly.
Kane’s biggest obstacle is fundraising, but prevailing in court would be a huge public relations win that would/should get a lot of press (considering the amount of press spent on the allegations against her). An acquittal or public vindication would be worth a minimum of 10% to 15% of the primary vote. Given a 5-way race, and the only female, and a 30% being the “win number”, she’s in a decent position.
Senator Rutherford, you believe that Kane has a chance of being nominated?! Please do explain how this is possible.
Scranton Sucks…You’re in la la land, on a number of levels.
Because I think for 2 People from Alleghany County should not run against other for a any political office in the first place and they should support for other instead.
Fear and loathing returns to Pittsburgh as the Bazzano-Zappala-Porter mafia muscles their dumb sissy, Sonny Corleone, to the front of the line.Watch out, Rocky! The mob is headed east!
No one seriously believes that Kane has any chance of being nominated for AG. C’mon, PoliticsPA, stop trying to create a controversy that doesn’t exist. It’s Zappala versus Rafferty. End of story.