Scranton mayor urged to drop out of Pa. gov race

    With Pennsylvania’s Democratic primary for Governor three months away, the field may be thinning. Pressure is on for the Mayor of Scranton to drop out and run for state Senate instead.
    When long-time Democratic State Senator Robert Mellow decided not to run for re-election, Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty started getting lots of calls from supporters and party leaders to quit the Governor’s race and make a bid for the state Senate.

    With Pennsylvania’s Democratic primary for Governor three months away, the field may be thinning. Pressure is on for the Mayor of Scranton to drop out and run for state Senate instead. [audio:100212spgov.mp3]

    When long-time Democratic State Senator Robert Mellow decided not to run for re-election, Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty started getting lots of calls from supporters and party leaders to quit the Governor’s race and make a bid for the state Senate.

    Doherty’s spokesman Mark Nevins says his decision will come soon.

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    Nevins: He wants to be thoughtful about this and not rush into any decisions, but he’s also not a deliberator.

    Doherty isn’t one of the front runners in the race. Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato has so far raised the most money. And at the recent Democratic State Committee meeting, Auditor General Jack Wagner got the most votes for party endorsement. The field also includes Montgomery County Commission Joe Hoeffel. And Philadelphia state Senator Anthony Williams could also enter the race.

    On the Republican side, Attorney General Tom Corbett faces State Representative Sam Rohrer.

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