State Sen. Jake Corman Enters PA Governor's Race

Pittsburgh PA

16 November, 2021

11:27 AM

Description

HARRISBURG, PA — The lengthy list of Republican gubernatorial candidates has gotten longer with the entry of Jake Corman, the state Senate's highest ranking member. Corman, of Centre County, confirmed his bid to multiple media outlets on Monday and a formal announcement was expected today. Corman, 57, the Senate pro tempore, was to have launched his campaign last week but had to postpone the announcement after he contracted COVID-19. He touted his more than two decades of experience in the General Assembly making him uniquely qualified for the governor's office. "Someone who comes from the Legislature, who understands the Legislature, can work with the Legislature to get good things accomplished is something that we need," Corman said in a phone interview with WJAC-TV in Johnstown. "I think we're tired of sort of the gridlock and the back-and-forth between the two." Corman's campaign website states his priorities are defending personal freedoms, securing state elections, creating job opportunities, improving education and protecting communities. The website also takes a jab at state Attorney General Josh Shapiro, labeling the only Democratic candidate in the race thus far as "Gov. Wolf's handpicked successor." Wolf, prohibited by law from seeking a third term next year, is supporting Shapiro's gubernatorial bid. Shapiro hasn't commented on Corman's entry into the race, but the state Democratic Party labeled him an acolyte of former President Donald Trump. "Jake Corman has sold out to the far-right of the Republican Party, and is desperately competing amongst a sea of MAGA hopefuls for Trump's support," said Pennsylvania Democratic Party spokesperson Marisa Nahem. "Corman vainly thought he could clear this messy field, but he's getting quite the wakeup call joining a dozen other candidates." The GOP field includes former U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta of Luzerne County; Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Gale; Allegheny County attorney Jason Richey; Guy Ciarrocchi, CEO of the Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry; Cumberland County political consultant Charlie Gerow; Bill McSwain, the former U.S. Attorney in Philadelphia; Dave White, a Delaware County businessman; Jason Monn, the former mayor of Corry, Erie County; Dr. Nche Zama, a Monroe County physician and John Ventre of Westmoreland County, a retired UPS executive and state director of the Mutual UFO Network - an organization that investigates reports of unidentified flying objects. Be the first to know what's happening in your community and region. With a free Patch subscription, you'll always be up to date on local and state news: https://patch.com/subscribe.