AG Tom Corbett Kicks Off Gubernatorial Campaign

PITTSBURGH -- Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett has launched his campaign for the 2010 Republican gubernatorial nomination, vowing to restore trust in Harrisburg, protect taxpayer money and improve the state's economy.

"I stand before you today and announce my candidacy for governor of Pennsylvania," Corbett announced Monday night before a cheering crowd at the Heinz History Center in Pittsburgh.

Corbett's announcement kicks off a 10-day tour of the state that will end in the Philadelphia suburbs Sept. 24.

Corbett, 60, is a former U.S. attorney for western Pennsylvania and was elected to a second four-year term as state attorney general last year. He spoke to an enthusiastic crowd of several hundred people amid red, white and blue balloons. Corbett told supporters he wants to restore trust and accountability in Harrisburg, but the budget battle has the economy front and center.

Corbett compared the current crisis to a struggling football team "full of talented players, a beautiful stadium to play in, dedicated fans, yet we are having trouble winning a game. When that happens, people know its time for a coaching change."

Corbett said he would like to see Pennsylvania have a two-year budget process, which he said would allow agencies to better plan. And he said he would trim the state's automotive fleet of nearly 17,000, which he said costs some $72 million.

While investing in communities is important, projects should be selected by informed decisions and true value, "not on the whim of a politician who is more concerned with given out an oversized check for a photo-op in order to win the next election."

He touted his office's work to protect the elderly from scams and its child predator unit, which he said has taken 236 predators off the streets.

Pennsylvania must invest in education to improve the future work force, he said, but "We shall not confuse spending more money with improving education."

The state must also reduce the bureaucracy that makes it unfriendly to business, he said.

He also called for developing the state's natural resources, such as natural gas within the Marcellus Shale, while protecting the environment.

Corbett wants a more favorable business climate, fiscal responsibility and a two-year budget system. What he didn't mention is whether Corbett can still investigate the Bonusgate scandal now that he is a gubernatorial candidate.

"You have to admit, the appearance with you being a political candidate and this being political by nature ... because we are investigating politicians, but the people of Pennsylvania spoke loudly last year in my re-election that they did not see running for office -- even governor -- necessarily as something political in and of itself," Corbett said.

The more than 2-year-old corruption investigation by Corbett's office has led to the arrests of 12 people connected to the House Democratic caucus so far -- including two former state representatives -- but Corbett said more arrests are forthcoming. Corbett dismissed criticisms that the investigation is politically motivated.

"We didn't go look for that investigation," he said, explaining his office learned of the allegations through newspaper articles. "We continue to investigate, and I know when the next round comes, I believe that complaint will go away."

He would not elaborate on where the investigation is headed, or when it may conclude.

"We're not going to hurry this along ... When those charges are filed, you're going to see, this has been done right," he said.

Corbett faces competition in the Republican primary from U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach, 54, a four-term congressman and former state legislator from suburban Philadelphia, announced his candidacy in July. Gerlach, of Chester County, considers himself a moderate on social issues and touts himself as a fiscal conservative, saying he is devoted to cutting taxes and the bedrock Republican ideal of making government smaller.

Other Republicans reported to be considering running include Hazelton Mayor Lou Barletta, former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, state Sen. and Lt. Gov. Joe Scarnati and former gubernatorial candidate Lynn Swann.

Democrats who have announced candidacies so far include Philadelphia businessman Tom Knox and state Auditor General Jack Wagner. Other potential Democrats include Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, Scranton Mayor Christopher Doherty and Montgomery County Commissioner and former Rep. Joe Hoeffel.

Rendell, a Democrat in his second of two four-year terms, cannot run again for the office because of constitutional term limits.