With Labor Day having passed us by, the fall will soon be here. This is the time many political and policy-oriented individuals in Pennsylvania are beginning to focus on the 2022 Governor’s race.
Is it too early for you and your organization to begin learning who the contenders are and what might be their thoughts and future policies regarding our Commonwealth? At Pugliese Associates we believe that now is the time to begin thinking about the candidates, the reasons why they are running for Governor and what their thoughts on the future of Pennsylvania might mean to you and your organization.
The Contenders:
Within the Democratic party there is a broad consensus that Attorney General Josh Shapiro will be the Democratic nominee for governor in 2022. While Josh has not officially announced his intention to seek the office, it is clear he is running for the position. He is assembling a campaign team, raising campaign funds, and meeting with individuals and groups. Because of Josh’s current position and the high degree of favorable exposure it has given him, there are no other announced or even rumored Democratic candidates.
On the Republican side, a number of individuals have expressed interest in the position with William McSwain, a career prosecutor and most recently federal attorney for southeastern Pennsylvania, making an official announcement that he is in the race. Another announced candidate is communication consultant and political activist Charlie Gerow of Harrisburg.
Other Republicans said to be considering entering the contest include state senators Dan Laughlin from Erie County, Scott Martin from Lancaster County, and Doug Mastriano from Franklin County.
Why should you consider involving yourself or your organization in the Governor’s race and if you think you should, is now the time to do so? It takes time to organize a state-wide campaign. This is a big state. It takes lots of money to run an effective statewide campaign and it takes time to raise the necessary funds. It also takes time to develop a campaign platform and create the policy positions on a host of issues important to Pennsylvanians.
You should consider whether it is advantageous to begin seeking meetings with candidates to talk about the public policy issues important to you and your organization and why that particular candidate should include your issues and your position on those issues in his campaign platform.