First ad launched from field of Dems running for Pa. governor

One of Pennsylvania’s eight Democratic candidates for governor is trying to step out from the field by being first to launch a television ad.

The campaign of Katie McGinty, former Department of Environmental Protection secretary, plans to air a 30-second statewide on two cable channels before and after President Barack Obama’s Tuesday evening State of the Union address.

It’s a move to set McGinty apart from the rest of the Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls, who at forums and debates across the state have mostly agreed on policy questions.

Of all the gubernatorial candidates, only Gov. Tom Corbett has aired a TV ad — in November.

McGinty isn’t sharing the cost of her ad buy.

“Ah, that’s for us to know and for us not to say,” she said Monday. “It’s a completely positive ad and it touches very much on the theme of hard work, hardworking families can and should have a shot at getting ahead.”

Campaign finance reports are due by the end of the month, but some candidates have been sharing their tallies.

Corbett reports having $7.5 million on hand. Leading the money count so far is York County businessman and Democrat Tom Wolf, who made a $10 million donation to his own campaign.

The Democratic field of contenders also includes U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz, state Treasurer Rob McCord, Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski, former DEP Secretary John Hanger, Cumberland County minister Max Myers, and Lebanon County Commissioner JoEllen Litz.