It looks like Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-Montgomery) is exploring her options for a bid for Governor in 2014. She has the campaign cash to make a serious run.
A survey of Democratic insiders Friday morning points to a possible candidacy. “Allyson is very talented and I’m sure she is looking at all of her options,” said one source knowingly.
As Tom Fitzgerald of the Philadelphia Inquirer scooped Friday morning, she hired Aubrey Montgomery to help her fundraiser. Montgomery is the outgoing Finance Director for the Pa. Democratic Party and is credited to a significant degree for their success in that sphere in 2012. She made PoliticsPA’s list of 30 Under 30 two cycles in a row.
Fundraising is not a weak point for Schwartz. Quite the contrary, she consistently leads the Pa. delegation in fundraising success. She is well connected to the southeast Pa. medical community.
If she does decide to jump in the race for Gov, she will be the leader in cash on hand on day one. She has over $3.1 million in her federal account. Pa. law would allow her to transfer every dollar to a campaign account for Governor.
Another prospective Democratic Guv candidate, state Treasurer Rob McCord, has $1.4 million on hand.
Gov. Tom Corbett himself reported having $2.05 million on hand at the end of 2011, his most recent filing.
Schwartz is familiar with Harrisburg: she served in the Pa. Senate for 14 years, 1991 to 2005. She’s the highest-ranking woman in elected office, too, something else that could boost her bid especially in a crowded Democratic primary.
Her background would test the degree to which abortion is a salient issue in Pa. politics. From 1975 to 1988, Schwartz was the Executive Director of Planned Parenthood’s Elizabeth Blackwell Center in Philadelphia. The clinic performed abortions as well as provided sexual and reproductive health services.
Democrats have vocally opposed Corbett’s and Republicans efforts to enact legislation aimed at making access to abortions more difficult.
If Schwartz looks at a move to the Governor’s Mansion, it would create a free-for-all for her seat in Montgomery County and Philadelphia where there is a lot of political talent and fundraising prowess. The first name would probably by State Sen. Daylin Leach (D-Montco), the liberal lion.
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14 Responses
Are you kidding me? When I saw this in the paper yesterday I thought, How could that happen? The Governorship is one where an individual needs to lead. Representative Schwartz is a great follower, not a leader. Look at her record. What has she accomplished? Her constituent services are excellent so folks don’t look at what she actually does in DC in her current capacity. Try calling her staff, though to find out her stance on an issue and you hear crickets! one can not find out her stance on any issue until the vote is taken. Why does she hide from her own supposed convictions?
I love her!!! She’d certainly have a lot of Democratic base support in the primary.
Is Kathy Dahlkemper thinking about running for Lt. Gov? She’d be a strong candidate if she did.
I like the McCord/Dahlkemper ticket idea,
It’s as simple as ABC: Anybody but Corbett! http://youtu.be/ho7796-au8U
From the Western PA perspective, I’m looking at a McCord/Dahlkemper ticket. Schwartz will have no traction outside of SEPA, no matter how much money she collects. Sestak managed to diss 90+% of the State Democratic Party when he ran for Senate, so his hope of elective office is effectively dead. You heard it here first – McCord/Dahlkemper.
She ran statewide losing the 2000 Primary United States Senate Pennsylvania Democrat nomination to Ron Klink who lost to Rick Santurom in the 2000 General Election.
She and Bob Brady led the approval of the disasterous 2012 United States House of Representatives Pennsylvania Congressional Redistricting Plan.
Shwartz can raise large amounts of money so she would be an excellent choice. The radical leftist title would be hard to hang on her because she is a typical SEPA suburban member of congress, a moderate.
Her voting record proves that.
However there will be other hurdles, she will be tied to the “War on Coal” mantra and if she opposes fracking she will lose the NWPA as well as SWPA. this is on top of losses in the Tee for being a Jewish woman. How well will a Jewish candidate do from SEPA after Rendell was Governor of Philadelphia is a factor as well. Many supporters from Pittsburgh did not recieve the same benefits as Philly did from Fast Eddie and they may want a western PA Dem to be the candidate.
The key will be the primary, if it gets messy, then Corbett will win easily.
Schwartz would be crushed. However, the writing is on the wall… you don’t hire the statewide finance director for your political operation when you have $3.1mm in an eternally safe seat. Mark it down: Ally is in…
What’s her stance on Fracking?
Correction: I meant, elected governor.
I think Pennsylvania needs a female to be elected statewide FOR ONCE, and I think Allyson’s the woman.
Schwartz is a radical. God help us if she ever got near the executive position
If its McCord or Schwartz than I’m all in for Schwartz who is a real progressive over a moderate empty suit CEO-type like McCord.
Sestak is NOT an option and the rest of the field are just minor leaguers.
Allyson already has 1 PA Dem. Committee member that she can depend on!