By Alex Roarty
PoliticsPA Staff Writer
roarty@politicspa.com

A source close to Tom Knox tells PoliticsPA the gubernatorial candidate is expected to officially end his campaign Friday.

Capitolwire first reported Wednesday night the Philadelphia businessman was planning to end his campaign after meeting with gubernatorial opponent Dan Onorato. Knox would endorse the Allegheny County chief executive afterward, the new service reported.

The Democratic source said, contrary to a report Thursday morning, that a morning meeting between Onorato and Knox did take place.

Knox’s exit rocks the now four-man Democratic field and could spark a movement by some Democrats to unite the party behind Onorato, the early front-runner who already raised $8 million. Auditor General Jack Wagner, Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty, and Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel are the other three candidates.

Calls to Knox’s campaign were not immediatley returned.