Jay Paterno shook up the race for Lieutenant Governor last month when he announced that after months of rumors he would be jumping into the political arena.
The move by the former Penn State Quarterback Coach and son of long-time head coach Joe Paterno adds an element of uncertainty to the race. To many in the state, the Paterno family is considered almost royalty thanks to Joe’s 45-year reign as head coach.
To countless others, though, the Sandusky scandal and Paterno’s decision to not contact the police after learning of his former Defensive Coordinator’s conduct have tarred the family forever.
Jay, who played for his father and was an assistant coach from 1995 to 2011, is permanently connected to his family’s legacy for good or for ill.
His name recognition appears to have helped him initially as the first-time candidate led last week’s Harper poll. Yet reports of his Progressive Summit performance, where he participated in his first ever debate suggest the rookie is not quite in political shape. A straw poll taken afterwards showed him receiving the support of just 0.6% of voters.
So, we ask you the readers, what do you think about Jay Paterno and his candidacy?
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6 Responses
The smart thing for him to do is run for State Senate, and stick to the area that reveres the Paterno name. Plus, he actually has a shot to win a State Senate run against Corman, and could be a hero to Democrats for putting pressure on the GOP Senate Campaign Committtee. The LG race is him trying to bite off way more than he can chew.
I agree with Jeremy. The Senate seat district that includes Penn State is ripe for plucking. If Paterno hopes to clear his Dad’s name he has more opportunity as the Senator for that region than being buried as Lt. Gov. Did any Democrat Party leadership (if such people exist) talk to Paterno?
It is a weak field so I am open to supporting him. I see him much differently than his brother Scott.
Relying on the family name didn’t work when his brother ran a wildly unsuccessful campaign for Congres, and it won’t work here.
I don’t think much of his candidacy. This is a man who has no background or experience and is running on “daddy’s” name. He should be ashamed.
He hasn’t done anything but be a surrogate for the Obama campaign. Why doesn’t he go into coaching if he wants to be a leader. Or, run for state senate and unseat a Republican.