A Johnstown conservative who unsuccessfully ran for governor three times will challenge Sen. Arlen Specter next year for the Republican nomination.Peg Luksik, 53, is best known as a right-to-life advocate who founded a charity to assist single mothers.
Her entry into the GOP primary could divide conservatives if former Republican U.S. Rep. Pat Toomey, who narrowly lost to Specter in the 2004, decides to run as well.
Luksik said that wouldn't affect her campaign.
"(Toomey) told me he wasn't running in February. I'm assuming I can take him at his word," Luksik said.
Toomey, 47, declined to comment.
"But he's still seriously thinking about the run," said Nachama Soloveichik, communications director of the Club for Growth, a limited-government group Toomey heads.
WRONG WAY TOOMEY
On again...off again...on again...this is approaching high comedy.
Does Mr. Toomey want to be a senator or does he want to be a governor?
Mrs. Luksic at least had the integrity to ask about his own intentions prior to announcing herself. The size of this guy's ego and ambitions must rival the Hindenburg.
Supporters crying "Go-Pat-Go" will now have to figure out which way he's going.
Matt Thomas
Pat wants to be whatever he thinks he can win. So if Peg Luksik is going to split the primary vote against Specter, Toomey will pony up for governor.
Does he even live in PA anymore? I thought he was running the Club for Growth from DC.
Greg -
I believe Toomey keeps a home in the Lehigh Valley, but yes, he has been president of the Club for Growth in Washington for the last several years. When Toomey's name first surfaced as a Senate/gubernatorial candidate, the first thing that popped into my head was the residency issue. No matter the office he ultimately shoots for, ads very much in line with the Santorum residency attacks from '06 will be used against Toomey.
I'm a Toomey fan and would love to see him run again, but this issue may be an albatross for him next year. On another note, I believe he will compete in the Senate race, not the governor's contest. After coming so close to finally sending Specter out to pasture in '04, it just seems like a much better fit for him. Plus, the un predictable open governor's seat has (and will attract) a plethora of candidates on each side. So far, Toomey's only conservative competition in the nomination fight is Peg Luksik, whom I like and respect, but who knows if she'll even survive in the race through this year. One can easily envision her being "asked to bow out" by conservatives across the state in favor of giving Toomey a clear path at Specter.