Foes jab at front-running Onorato

    With ten days left before the Pennsylvania primary, the four Democrats battling for their party’s gubernatorial nomination met in a debate Friday in Philadelphia.

    Allegheny County executive Dan Onorato is leading in money and polls, and his rivals tried to give him some bruises in the hour-long exchange.

    Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel said Onorato has been supported by anti-abortion groups, but now says he will not roll back abortion rights…

    • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

    Hoeffel: So my question is does that make you pro choice, does it make you pro-life, or does it make you multiple choice?

    Onorato said he personally opposes abortion, but has made his position on the issue clear:

    Onorato: I support Pennsylvania’s law, and I will veto any attempt to change that law, even if Roe v Wade is overturned. I support funding of comprehensive education, and I support funding of family planning.

    State Senator Anthony Williams, (D., Phila.) and Auditor General Jack Wagner criticized Onorato on other issues, from gun control to managing his county pension fund.

    The debate was sponsored by the League of Women Voters.  It will air Sunday at 11:30 a.m. on WPVI-TV, Channel 6.

    WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

    Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

    Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal