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PA-8: Santarsiero Scores Wolf Endorsement

Governor-WolfSteve Santarsiero has won his biggest endorsement yet.

Governor Tom Wolf announced today that he will be backing the State Representative in his bid for Congress.

“From standing up for women’s reproductive rights to holding the gas drillers accountable, Steve Santarsiero is the proven progressive champion we need in Congress,” said Gov. Wolf. “Steve isn’t afraid to stand up to the special interests or to do the right thing even when it’s tough. That’s the type of leadership we need in Congress. I’m proud to endorse Steve and I look forward to standing by his side and campaigning hard for his election.”

“I’m proud to have earned Governor Wolf’s support. I value his leadership, and I look forward to working together to win this election,” Santarsiero responded. “In Congress, I will continue to stand with the governor to find responsible solutions for Bucks and Montgomery Counties.”

Wolf even issued his own statement (and fundraising pitch) which the Santarsiero emailed to supporters a few hours later.

“I don’t make endorsements lightly,” he wrote. “As Governor, it’s important to me that, before I endorse, I have seen, firsthand, the capabilities and qualities of the person seeking my support. That’s why I’m not hesitating for a moment to endorse Steve Santarsiero in his race for the 8th Congressional District.”

The most surprising aspect of the endorsement is that former Gov. Ed Rendell is supporting Shaughnessy Naughton for the Democratic nomination in PA-8. Wolf and Rendell are usually on the same sides on these contests.

Meanwhile, the NRCC is already trying to use the support of the Governor against Santarsiero.

“We congratulate Steve Santarsiero for being endorsed by an out-of-touch millionaire governor who has proposed new taxes on baby diapers, burial caskets and everything in between,” NRCC Regional Spokesman Chris Pack said. “The people of Pennsylvania’s 8th District should be concerned that Santarsiero will try bringing these same tax-and-spend policies to Congress.”

You can read our recent interview with Santarsiero here.

The 8th Congressional District represents all of Bucks County as well as parts of upper Montgomery County.

UPDATE: The Naughton campaign sent the following statement to PoliticsPA in response:

“I am proud to have the endorsement of Governor Ed Rendell as well as teachers, scientists and small business owners all across our district because they know that when I get to Washington I’ll be a fierce advocate for Planned Parenthood and pass a ban on fracking on the Delaware.  I’m not a career politician. I’m just a proud Bucks County native who wants to see middle-class families get the representation they deserve.”

7 Responses

  1. Shaughnessy Naughton’s biggest mistake was saying “I don’t think that’s a realistic path” about public option healthcare. She must mean in the USA alone; the rest of Earth realistically enjoys it – or even full universal healthcare.

    Santarsiero doesn’t agree, and neither do most Democrats.

    And speaking of double standards: banning fracking on the Delaware alone, while sacrificing the water of everyone else will take some mighty fine tightrope walking. At least as tricky as having a moratorium there now, while everyone else is sacrificed. I can’t see many backing her…except those in the Delaware watershed, of course.

  2. Santarsiero should move back to NJ they are more aligned with his values. Never vote for somebody from Yardley they have poor values. The New York New Jersey money should stay there.

  3. Hey BucksD, Shaughnessy is not a career politician. She’s been Running her business for the last 3-4 years in addition to running for Congress. What has Steve been doing, other than making friends in Harrisburg? He hasn’t been passing legislation, that’s for sure.

  4. How is Shaughnessy Naughton not a career politician? She’s spent the last 3 to 4 years running for Congress. If you are going to say you are not a career politician if your stump speech/press releases you should probably have done something else with your time unless you are going to sound like a giant hypocrite.

  5. Only Tom Corbett was more self absorbed that he didn’t realize his endorsement was a proverbial kiss of death for a candidate.
    Naughton by 4
    Brian Fitzpatrick by 9
    Mike Fitzpatrick

  6. Another example of this Governor not listening to the adults in the room. And the reason he should listen is because he has no idea how to navigate through state politics. Stupid endorsement. Are Tom Corbett staffers working for this administration? Idiotic

  7. Another Good Choice Tom Wolf because I did supported him Last Week for congress, and it will be a Comptive race though, and we’re hoping is he will win by at least 10 points in June primary, and 15 points in November.

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