Schwank Nets $75K from O’Pake Committee

By Keegan Gibson, Managing Editor

Judy Schwank’s supporters tell everyone it’s a no-brainer, Mike O’Pake would back Schwank for his now-vacant seat in the PA Senate.

The most recent campaign finance reports would seem to validate that claim. O’Pake’s committee contributed the bulk of its cash on hand, $75,000, to Schwank on February 3^rd.

O’Pake passed away unexpectedly in December. He was the longest-serving member of the PA legislature at the time, the Democratic Whip, and had held his Reading-based state Senate seat since 1972. The special election for his seat will fall this Tuesday, March 15^th.

O’Pake supporters have mostly lined up behind Schwank, a former Berks County Commissioner. Her campaign is running radio ads with O’Pake’s cousins saying the same.

Democrats around PA have contributed to Schwank. The committees of State Senators Lisa Boscola and John Yudichak each conated $5,000. Sen. Vincent Hughes gave $4,000, and Reading State Rep. Tom Caltagliarone gave $2,500. Tim Holden gave $1,000. Former congressional rivals Manan Trivedi and Doug Pike contributed $500 and $250, respectively.

Local businessman Al Boscov has donated $5,000. Local and statewide labor union PACs have given $12,500.

In all, Schwank had taken in around $180,000 as of February 28^th.

For the most part, Schwank’s campaign seems to be funded by her own committee. Expendatures on her behalf by the PA Democratic Party for direct mail have been reembursed.

The Democratic State Senate Campaign Committee has spent about $30,000 to poll in the race, including $12,000 for one poll before Schwank was the official nominee (which PoliticsPA reported in January).

However, these reports offer only a glimpse of the full picture, going only through February 28^th. For the most part, Pennsylvanians will have to wait until after the election for more information.