HARRISBURG - The Pennsylvania Restaurant Association (PRA) today announced its endorsement of Attorney General Tom Corbett in his bid for governor. The PRA board of directors believes Corbett is the candidate who best understands Pennsylvania’s restaurant and foodservice industry, appreciates its impact on the state’s economy and recognizes the legislative and regulatory challenges it faces.
“The 2010 campaign for governor is critically important to Pennsylvania’s restaurant and foodservice industry,” said Patrick Conway, PRA’s president and CEO. “With restaurants in every community of the state, we are poised to play a key role in the campaign. We hope our endorsement of Tom Corbett will encourage members of our industry to support him in his bid for governor.”
Earlier this year, the PRA board of directors conducted face-to-face interviews with several Republican and Democratic gubernatorial candidates. The board focused on the candidates’ positions on public policy issues and their interests and knowledge of the restaurant industry’s legislative priorities.
“During our interviews, Tom Corbett demonstrated in-depth knowledge of our industry and the challenges it faces in Pennsylvania. His public service record is well-established and he has what it takes to navigate our state through the difficult waters ahead,” said Garth Weldon, chairman of the PRA board and managing partner of The Prime Rib in Philadelphia.
“I am grateful to have the support and confidence of the PRA, representing thousands of people in the restaurant and foodservice industry across the state,” said Corbett. “In order to make Pennsylvania competitive and allow our businesses to thrive and grow, we need to reduce the tax burden on our job creators, which will be one of my top priorities as governor.”
Founded in 1937, the Pennsylvania Restaurant Association represents more than 7,000 Pennsylvania restaurants and foodservice establishments located across the Commonwealth. Pennsylvania’s restaurant industry plays an integral role in the state’s economy, employing more than 470,000 people and generating $16.2 billion in annual sales.
