Trib: Wagner Mulling Guv Run

Jack Sara Wagner fist bump
Wagner, with his daughter, in a 2013 campaign ad

Jack Wagner may be the next candidate to enter an already wide primary field for the 2014 Gubernatorial election. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review’s weekly column for political rumors reports the former Auditor General is considering it.

Here’s what the Trib wrote:

Former state Auditor General Jack Wagner appears to be mulling a run for governor next year.

Political insiders say the former Pittsburgh City Council president and onetime state senator is meeting with supporters and potential campaign donors. He expects to make a final decision in early September.

Wagner lost to Pittsburgh City Councilman Bill Peduto in the city’s Democrat mayoral primary, but would be a formidable candidate for the Democrat gubernatorial nomination. When he was re-elected auditor general in 2008, he received 3.26 million votes — more votes than Barack Obama received in Pennsylvania in that year’s presidential election.

If he decides to do it, Wagner, 65, would be the only candidate from Western Pa. All of the candidates so far live east of the Susquehanna River, or within 15 miles of it.

Wagner lost his May bid to be Pittsburgh’s Democratic nominee for Mayor. In 2010,
he came in second during the 2010 Democratic primary for Governor with 24 percent in a four-way race.

7 Responses

  1. This is just another reason why Pennsylvania needs a “Runoff Election Law”… Sadly, the Democratic Nominee for Governor is 2014 may end up only winning 20-30% of the actual vote. Leaving voters with a very much divided choice for Governor. Pennsylvania should enact the Runoff Election Law, so if any candidate fails to capture 50% of the vote there would be a runoff election between the top two voter getters. Ensuring the right candidate is chosen. Not to mention, it’s time for PA to OPEN the primaries… 147 Candidates for Governor and counting…

  2. I would like to see Wagner in the mix….Chelsa Wagner and McCord would make a nice east – west / female – male ticket.

  3. The smartest move for Wagner would be to run for LT Gov.

    This would make for a strong ticket next November. Wagner could mitigate Western PA animosity toward Eastern PA Dem candidate for Gov.

  4. Not good for Corbett. The Democratic field keeps getting stronger. The Democrats are virtually guaranteed to put their best foot forward, and the primary process will mete out the best they’ve got. Could very well be Wagner. Could be Schwartz. Could be Wolf. Could be McCord. Any of those will trounce Corbett. This ain’t gonna be no Ridge vs. Itken redux, that’s for sure.

  5. Get the hint mr.wagner your time has come and gone you lost mayors race twice governor race once if anything wagner will support corbett again.

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