2008 Row Office Races Could Be Hot

September 16th, 2007, posted by CindySnyder

No one expects them to upstage next year’s presidential election campaign in Pennsylvania, but openings on the state row offices are generating serious buzz more than a year before voters pick the next attorney general, auditor general and treasurer.

Whatever lies ahead, the next crop of row-office candidates will likely include two incumbents seeking re-election – Attorney General Tom Corbett, a Republican, and Auditor General Jack Wagner, a Democrat. Neither Corbett, a former top federal prosecutor in Pittsburgh, nor Wagner, a former state senator from Pittsburgh, rules out the prospect of running for governor in 2010, their spokesmen say.

About a half-dozen other people have either declared their candidacies or are considering running for row offices next year.

No Democrat has served as attorney general, the state government’s top legal officer, since it became an elective office in 1980. But at least three Democrats may seek the nomination to challenge Corbett.

John Morganelli, the longtime Northampton County district attorney, says he definitely will take a third shot at the nomination.

“I hope I don’t become a perennial candidate,” Morganelli said. “I like to win once in a while.”

Morganelli lost the nomination in 2000 and 2004 to Jim Eisenhower, a former federal prosecutor and now a Philadelphia lawyer who lost both general elections. Eisenhower is “seriously thinking” about running again this year too, his spokesman said.

Chris Casey, the younger brother of Sen. Casey, said he is “seriously considering” a campaign. A Philadelphia lawyer and former federal drug prosecutor, he said the job “matches my experience and interests.”

At least four candidates or potential candidates have their eyes on the office of treasurer, which controls the purse strings of state government. Incumbent Robin L. Wiessmann, appointed to complete Casey’s term, is not seeking a full term.

Two Democrats are definitely running – John Cordisco, a lawyer, former legislator and chairman of the Bucks County Democratic Committee; and Montgomery County venture capitalist Rob McCord, who distributed campaign material at a Democratic State Committee meeting earlier this month.

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Morganelli the Master of Contradiction

On September 16th, 2007 Anonymous said:

Morganelli states that he hopes not to become a perennial candidate, but he has run for District Attorney four times and Attorney General twice. Maybe someone should get him a dictionary and point him to the definition of perennial.

Btw…has anyone seen any reports on whether or not Morganelli has come clean with who on his campaign sent the anonymous emails? I sure hope someone is able to get to the bottom of this because its sure would be a shame if he got away with this type of sneaky campaign tactics and became A.G. There will be a cloud of suspicion over every case he investigates if he can’t even tell us the truth about who sent the malicious emails. I worry the Democrats don’t really mean what they say about higher ethical standards if Morganelli doesn’t lift the veil.

The term 'perennial candidate'

On September 17th, 2007 Anonymous said:

is usually one used to refer to someone who frequently seeks office unsuccessfully. Morganelli has won more elections than he has lost. Richard Orloski would be a prime example of a perennial candidate.

Editors Note: Read this story in Wikipedia for a run-down of many top ‘perennial candidates’

I think it applies to Morganelli

On September 18th, 2007 Stanley said:

I think it applies to Morganelli because he continually runs (or tries to run) for Attorney General but can never get traction.

not to worry

On September 16th, 2007 Anonymous said:

Mr. Morganelli doesn’t stand a chance in the world of winning AG. I am willing to bet a nickel that he will be retained at Northampton County DA.

worry?

On September 17th, 2007 Anonymous said:

Morganelli is running unopposed in Norco this year. Why didn’t he come clean? Who is he protesting? Meet AG Casey!

PA Hotness

On September 16th, 2007 Citizen Driven said:

PA is stagnant, and is burying itself in higher taxes and further debt. We need to attract people and business, and we need to give them a reason to live and work in PA. Alternative energy and funding transportation are important initiatives, but that isn’t going to alleviate PA’s burdens. The answers for PA will come from our State government, not our Federal government. The state races need to heat up. Let us start worrying about growing government, higher taxes for owning a home, higher costs for business owners, increasing healthcare costs, less people able to afford healthcare coverage, and education inadequately funded.