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State Sen. Farnese Weighing LG Bid

Larry Farnese
State Sen. Larry Farnese

Larry Farnese is eying a run for Lieutenant Governor, the Philadelphia state Senator told PoliticsPA.

“What I’m doing right now is reaching out to county chairmen across the state, letting them know my interest, letting them know it’s something I’m seriously considering,” he said.

“There’s no announcement, but I will confirm I’m seriously considering it,” he said. “If there’s an opportunity for me contribute, I’d like to do it.”

Farnese, 45, was born and raised in Philadelphia. An attorney, he was first elected in 2008. The 1st Senate district comprises Center City and South Philly.

“As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I think I’m in a unique position to see that the priorities of this administration have been devastating to working families across the Commonwealth,” he said of Gov. Tom Corbett.

Farnese was re-elected by a 66 point margin in 2012, meaning he wouldn’t have to give up his Senate seat to run.

He said he would evaluate the campaign and move toward a final decision over the course of the summer. “I want to be very clear: my first priority is the first district.”

Outside the normal headlines one would expect from a state legislator, Farnese probably is best known for a bill he introduced in 2011. Responding to a GOP measure that would mandate ultrasounds for women seeking abortions, Farnese satirically sought to mandate prostate exams and other tests for men seeking treatment for erectile dysfunction.

Harrisburg City Councilman Brad Koplinski and Bradford County Commissioner Mark Smith have announced bids for Lt. Governor. Other names have surfaced, too, including former Congressman Mark Critz, Northampton Co. DA John Morganelli, state Rep. Brandon Neuman and state Sen. John Wozniak.

Most of the top tier gubernatorial hopefuls hail from southeast Pa., but only one prospective candidate – state Sen. Mike Stack – hails from Philly.

3 Responses

  1. This would be lousy for the southwest.Hoping the Critzer runs for LG, but we’ll see.
    LG race looks more like a lottery, so I may throw my hat in like Farnese. Sweeping west
    of the Susquehanna takes it.

  2. This sounds like a ploy to raise money. Larry is in a safe district, and doesn’t know how to fight a statewide campaign. He’s the 8th ward leader, but I’ve heard he’s somewhat lazy, compared to previous leaders.

    I wouldn’t lose any sleep over this if I were running for LG.

  3. Not a smart move. The Gov/Lt Gov ticket needs to be balanced. The two frontrunners (Schwartz and McCord) are also from southeastern PA. I’m personally looking forward to a Schwartz/Koplinski ticket.

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