Big field in Pa. race for Lt. Governor

State Representative Daryl Metcalf surprised political observers in Pennsylvania this week when he announced he is running for Lt Governor. That brings the field of Republican candidates to nine, and three Democrats.

State Representative Daryl Metcalf surprised political observers in Pennsylvania this week when he announced he is running for Lt Governor.  That brings the field of candidates to nine Republican and three Democrats.

Metcalfe, a Butler County state Representative, says he doesn’t view the L-G’s position as a partnership with the governor vowing to hold either Tom Corbett or Sam Rohrer accountable, and promising to run against his ticket mate in the next election should he raises taxes or increase spending.

The party’s endorsed candidate, Bucks County Commissioner Jim Cawley, disagrees with with that approach to the job.

Cawley: I think that I’m looking forward to serving with Tom Corbett, to changing Pennsylvania and making it a place we can be proud of again. I’m not interested in using the lieutenant governor’s position as a weapon.

Metcalfe  says he holds an advantage over the eight other Republicans, due to coalitions he’s built among grassroots conservatives.
Political scientist Christopher Borick of Muhlenberg College gives the advantage to Cawley, saying the party endorsement carries weight in a race like the lieutenant governor primary, where voters aren’t paying close attention to the candidates.
The Pennsylvania primary election is May 18th.