Tom Knox drops out of Pa. Gov’s race

Philadelphia businessman Tom Knox has dropped out of the governor’s race.
Knox was in a five-way battle for the Democratic nomination which will be settled May 18th.

Philadelphia businessman Tom Knox has dropped out of the governor’s race.
Knox was in a five-way battle for the Democratic nomination which will be settled May 18th. [audio:100122SDGOV.mp3]

Knox is the second gubernatorial candidate to drop out within the past month, following Congressman Jim Gerlach’s exit from the Republican race.
The businessman and one-time Philadelphia mayoral candidate says his wife didn’t want him to run.
Knox, a millionaire who planned to finance his own campaign, was seen as the only candidate who could compete with Onorato in fundraising and spending.

Knox: I was going to spend ten million dollars, Dan was probably going to spend ten million dollars. We were going to beat each other up.  And that’s not appropriate to do in a Democratic primary, and then after all that, allow a Republican to become the next governor.

Onorato has raised over eight million dollars so far – that’s much more than Jack Wagner, Chris Doherty or Joe Hoeffel have taken in.
Knox says he’ll contribute to Onorato’s campaign, but declined to say how much he’ll give.
Political scientist Terry Madonna of Franklin and Marshall College says this gives a big boost to Onorato, but doesn’t guarantee he’ll be the party’s nominee.