The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, two of the largest circulation daily newspapers in the country, have both endorsed Wagner for Governor. In Sunday’s editions, they reiterated their endorsements.

The Tribune-Review:

He…has a long and distinguished record of public service. And the state auditor general has been rewarded at the polls with some of the largest statewide vote totals in commonwealth history. He’s a proven watchdog of public dollars, a consensus-builder and knows how to assemble a good team. His chief opponent, Dan Onorato, would be a dangerous choice.

The Inquirer:

In tough fiscal times, voters want leaders who make hard decisions about spending and taxes devoid of any political calculation. For Democrats, that type of leader is someone already taking a focused, unbiased look at how Pennsylvania can do a better job managing its budget: state Auditor General JACK WAGNER.

The decorated Marine veteran served 10 years on Pittsburgh’s City Council and 10 years in the state Senate. As auditor general, Wagner has done 25,000-plus audits, saving taxpayers millions.

The Inquirer’s deputy editorial page editor also wrote:

There’s one person in the Democratic field who has the most potential to give [presumptive Republican nominee Attorney General Tom] Corbett a race in the fall. That’s Jack Wagner, the auditor general.

Wagner has won statewide election and seems like a straight shooter. He lives on the same street where he grew up in a working-class neighborhood in Pittsburgh.

Wagner spent 10 years in the state Senate. He supports early childhood education, prescription drug coverage for seniors, and property-tax reform. During the state budget battle, he offered some compelling cost-saving ideas.

There’s one big problem: Wagner hasn’t raised much money. That has kept him from buying TV time. As such, he hasn’t gained much traction in the polls. But the lack of funding from special interests is the best reason for average voters to back Wagner.

Wagner has gotten the attention of Rendell. The governor called a news conference last week to take issue with ads Wagner is running that point to an increase in state spending under Rendell.

Wagner has also issued audits of the Rendell administration for no-bid contracts and wasteful spending.

Rendell had this to say about Wagner: “At times he is a pain in the butt, but he does his job.”

That’s the best endorsement yet for Wagner.

Here’s the complete list of organizations and individuals who have endorsed Jack Wagner for Governor as of today:

Labor

• Amalgamated Transit Union, Pittsburgh (Pat McMahon, President)
• American Federation of Government Employees 3rd District (Keith Hill, National Vice President; represented in Western PA by Ron Demichelli and in Southeastern PA by Jim Weyrauch)
• Beaver-Lawrence Central Labor Council (Dennis Bloom, President)
• Boilermakers Local 154 (Ray Ventrone, President)
• Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen/Teamsters Rail Conference (Ken Kertesz, Chairman)
• District 1199c of the National Union of Hospital and Health Care Employees, AFSCME, AFL-CIO (Henry Nicholas, President)
• Indiana, Armstrong, and Clarion Counties Central Labor Council (Ken Cecconi, President)
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 29 (Jeff Davis, President)
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 201 (Eric Hoover, President)
• Iron Workers Local Union No. 3 (Mark Thomas, Business Manager)
• Pittsburgh Fire Fighters Local No. 1 (Joseph King, President)
• Teamsters Local 30 (Ernie Gigliotti, Principal Officer)
• Transportation Workers Union (Willie Brown, President)
• United Auto Workers Local 544 Retirees
• United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776 (Wendell Young IV, President)
• United Mine Workers District 3 (Ed Yankovich, President)

Organizations

• East Pennsboro Democratic Club (Cumberland County)
• Humane USA PA PAC
• Mon Valley Police Association
• Pennsylvania Business Council, PEG PAC
• Pennsylvania League of Humane Voters
• Pennsylvania Restaurant Association
• Students for Wagner
• Veterans for Wagner

Elected Officials

• Lisa Bennington, former State Representative, Allegheny County
• Joseph Brennan, State Representative
• Judith Church, McKean County Commissioner and Chair, McKean County Democratic Committee
• Robert Crampsie, Carbon County Controller
• W. Michael Donovan, Vice President of Allentown City Council
• Charles Getz, Carbon County Commissioner
• Jim Goodman, Schuylkill County District Attorney
• Rich Grucela, State Representative
• Sam Hoff, Treasurer, Lycoming County Democratic Committee
• Tim Holden, U.S. Congressman
• Phil Jones, Cameron County Commissioner
• Barb Kline, Cambria County Treasurer and State Committeewoman
• Jennifer Mann, State Representative
• Former U.S. Congressman Frank Mascara
• Jeremy Melber, Jim Thorpe Borough Councilman, member of the Executive Board of the Carbon County Democratic Committee, and Vice President of the Jim Thorpe Democratic Club
• Tony Melio, State Representative
• John Morganelli, Northampton County District Attorney
• Andrea Naugle, Lehigh County Clerk of Judicial Records
• William O’Gurek, Chair, Carbon County Board of Commissioners
• John Peck, Westmoreland County District Attorney
• Donna Schmitt, Somerset County Treasurer & State Committeewoman
• Peggy Schnieder, Elk County Treasurer & State Committeewoman
• Peter Schweyer, Allentown City Councilman
• Ronald Sheehan, Carbon County Treasurer
• John Vatavuk, Vice Chair, Somerset County Board of Commissioners; Chair, Somerset County Democratic Committee
• Sandi Vulcano, Easton City Councilwoman (and Past-President)
• Chelsa Wagner, State Representative, Allegheny County
• Bob Will, former Somerset County Commissioner and Prothonotary
• Justin Yaich, President, Jim Thorpe Borough Council

Democratic County Committees

• Armstrong County Democratic Committee
• Beaver County Democratic Committee
• Cambria County Democratic Committee
• Fulton County Democratic Committee
• Lackawanna County Democratic Committee
• Montour County Democratic Committee
• Schuylkill County Democratic Committee
• Warren County Democratic Committee
• Westmoreland County Democratic Committee

Veterans for Wagner

• Veterans Alumni Association of Allegheny County, Jim White, Chair
• Robert Abbott, Catholic War Vets (Allegheny County)
• Dan Blissman, U.S. Navy Vietnam Veteran (Westmoreland County)
• Bob Boland (Lackawanna County)
• James Bruder, U.S. Navy Club Chaplain (Allegheny County)
• Greg Daley (Allegheny County)
• Ron Demicheli (Allegheny County)
• Joseph DeVito (Forest County)
• Bill Dilla (Crawford County)
• Hal Donahue, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Air Force, Ret. (Lackawanna County)
• Michael Dunn, M.D., Brigadier General, U.S. Army, Ret. and Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh (Cambria County)
• Glenn Embree, U.S. Navy, Plumbers and Pipefitters Union (Westmoreland County)
• Richard Fallon, Former spokesman POW/MIA Association (Allegheny County)
• Jack Flaherty (Allegheny County)
• Mike Hall, American Legion Post 358 Commander (Delaware County)
• Floyd Johnson, Jr. (Allegheny County)
• Frank Lopes (Allegheny County)
• Moe Mahoney, U.S. Navy (Allegheny County)
• Seamus Maloney (Allegheny County)
• Dave Mankamyer, U.S. Army Sergeant, environmental consultant, and former County Commissioner (Somerset County)
• Anthony Marceca (Dauphin County)
• John May, U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran (Allegheny County)
• Ed McDonald, former All-American Commander of VFW Post, Sayre (Bradford County)
• James Mullen, U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam Veteran (Allegheny County)
• Bob Myers, Northwest Veterans Coalition (Venango County)
• Bernie Paisano (Allegheny County)
• Tom Petrone, Former Pennsylvania State Representative (Allegheny County)
• Rocco Polidoro, American Legion Post Commander, Springfield (Delaware County)
• Richard Portis, Robert Morris University Small Business Project Director (Allegheny County)
• William Sargent (Allegheny County)
• Thomas Scholler, Jr., Former Adjutant, Belleview VFW Post 2454 (Allegheny County)
• Ed Sheehan, Catholic War Vets (Allegheny County)
• Wayne Vlasic, Monessen City Controller (Westmoreland County)
• Ray Webb, Veterans Alumni Association (Allegheny County)

Democratic Party Leaders

• Carmela Anzinger (Mercer County)
• Dennis Balbac, District Leader of Lebanon County Democratic Committee District 4, member of PennAg Democrats, and, like Jack, a Vietnam veteran
• Chris Benson, Executive Board Member, Lycoming County Democratic Committee; Executive Board Member and Corresponding Secretary, Pennsylvania Young Democrats; Immediate Past President, Lycoming County Young Democrats
• Cindy Blissman, Democratic State Committeewoman (Westmoreland County)
• Jessie Bloom, Chair, Lycoming County Democratic Committee
• Diane Bowman, Chair, Dauphin County Democratic Committee
• Jim Boylan, Democratic State Committeeman, Northumberland County
• Estrella Brooks (Allegheny County)
• Ann Bursis, PA Democratic Party Treasurer (Wayne County)
• Henry “Butch” Coira, Chair, Montour County Democratic Committee
• Brittany Concilus, PA College Democrats Membership Director (Clarion County)
• Mary Jane Dellafiora, Democratic State Committeewoman, Indiana County
• Linda DiCindio, Democratic State Committeewoman, Schuylkill County
• Germaine Donahue, Chair, Sullivan County Democratic Committee and small business owner
• Charles M. Dries, Democratic State Committeeman, Schuylkill County
• Harriet Ellenberger, VP of the PA Federation of Democratic Women, President of the Democratic Women of Westmoreland County, and State Committeewoman
• Douglas Engelman, Executive Committee Member, Lycoming County Democratic Committee
• Ron Fairman, Vice Chair, Indiana County Democratic Committee
• Guy Ferguson, Chair, Bedford County Democratic Committee
• Richard Gahr, Executive Committee Member, Lycoming County Democratic Committee
• Rheon Gelvin, Chair, Fulton County Democratic Committee
• Dianne Gregg, Chair, Centre County Democratic Committee
• Peggy Grove, Democratic State Committeewoman, Dauphin County Democratic Committee; Chair, Democratic State Committee South Central Caucus
• H.B. Von Hause, Vice Chair, Cameron County Democratic Committee
• Zach Hause, Chair, Cameron County Democratic Committee; Director of Political Affairs, Pennsylvania College Democrats
• Rob Hopkins, Democratic State Committeeman
• Kathy Huggins, Democratic State Committeewoman (Philadelphia County)
• Lu Inzana, Chair, Jefferson County Democratic Committee
• Marianne Jackson (Allegheny County)
• Frank Jacobs, Chair, Carbon County Democratic Committee
• Chris Katella, President, Clarion University Young Democrats and Chair of Students for Wagner
• Ed Kleha, Chair, Schuylkill County Democratic Committee
• Monica Kline, a leader of Lebanon County Democratic Committee District 4 and daughter of the late Lt. Gov. Ernie Kline
• Larry Kriess, Chair, Butler County Democratic Committee
• Greg Leathers, Chair, Greene County Democratic Committee
• Ruth Luse, Democratic State Committeewoman (Centre County)
• Florence Matta, Democratic State Committeewoman (Allegheny County)
• Maxine McIntyre (Philadelphia County)
• Bill Miller, Chair, Clarion County Democratic Committee
• Tim Nieman, a leader of Lebanon County Democratic Committee District 4
• Paul Niglio, Chair, Northumberland County Democratic Committee
• Linda Piso (Allegheny County)
• Jay Purdy, Democratic State Committeeman, Dauphin County Democratic Committee; former Lower Paxton Township Supervisor
• Courtney Robinson, 2nd Vice Chair of the Lehigh County Democratic Committee
• Susan Rutt, PA Federation of Democratic Women President (Lehigh County)
• Jimmy Schlener, Chair of the Bethlehem City Democratic Committee
• Dick Schreckengost, Chair, Armstrong County Democratic Committee
• Patricia Smith-Mendsen, Democratic State Committeewoman
• Janet Spleen, Democratic State Committeewoman (Lancaster County)
• Chris Tarsa, Chair, Lebanon County Democratic Committee
• Jean Theis, Democratic State Committeewoman (Erie County)
• Charlie Vizzini, veteran and Democratic State Committeeman, Cambria County
• Mary Ann Weaver, Democratic State Committeewoman (Lawrence County)
• Helen Whiteford, Chair, Cambria County Democratic Committee
• Sandy Wolfe, Democratic State Committeewoman (Cumberland County)
• Susan Wolpin, Democratic State Committeewoman (Bucks County)

In an editorial published in Sunday’s edition, the newspaper put it simply: in these tough economic times, Wagner “gets it.”

Read the full press release here.

Read the Trib’s article here.

“I am honored by the Trib’s endorsement and its recognition of the record and experience that I would bring to the job as Governor,” Wagner said. “If elected, I pledge to be a Governor that families in western Pennsylvania and all across the Commonwealth can trust and count on.”

The Tribune-Review joins The Philadelphia Inquirer in endorsing Wagner in the May 18th Democratic primary. Last weekend, the Inquirer endorsed Wagner, saying, “The Democrats’ best choice to provide that type of fiscal leadership is someone who is already taking a focused, unbiased look at how Pennsylvania can do a better job managing its budget….Wagner’s background as a fiscal steward makes him best of all.”

Also in Sunday’s edition, the editorial board of the DuBois Courier Express/Tri-County Sunday called Wagner the Democratic candidate with “the best resume.”

The full text of the Tribune-Review’s endorsement follows:

Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato and state Auditor General Jack Wagner are the marquee candidates for the Democrats’ gubernatorial nomination.

Mr. Onorato is the far-better-funded candidate and his campaign commercials have flooded the airwaves. But they’re filled with misrepresentations. And given his proclivity for such behavior — highlighted by his troublesome disregard for the rule of law — he’d make for a dangerous governor. Talk about Rendell’s third term.

There’s not much flashy about Jack Wagner. But he’s head-and-shoulders above Onorato. Measured and steady, the former Pittsburgh City Council president and state senator has been an effective watchdog for taxpayers as auditor general. He knows how to assemble a good team and gets the job done. He “gets it,” too.

Democrats would serve their party’s chances in November best by nominating Jack Wagner for governor.

At a press conference held today at Soldier’s and Sailor’s Grove in Harrisburg, Wagner also announced his support for Congressman Holden in his re-election bid.

“I am pleased to endorse Jack Wagner in his bid to become Pennsylvania’s next Governor,” Congressman Holden said. “We share many of the same values and ideas for moving Pennsylvania forward. Jack has the right plan for job creation and economic development at a time when Pennsylvanians are facing fiscal challenges. He is a proven and trusted friend that my district and all Pennsylvanians can count on.” Holden’s district is comprised of Dauphin, Lebanon, and Schuylkill Counties, as well as parts of Berks and Perry Counties.

“I am humbly grateful and honored to have the support of Congressman Holden,” Wagner said. “I am proud to also endorse my friend in his re-election bid this year. Congressman Holden is a man of integrity and a vital pillar of Pennsylvania’s delegation in Congress. He has done a terrific job serving the citizens of five counties during his nine terms. If I am fortunate to be elected Governor, I look forward to working with him to stimulate Pennsylvania’s economy and create high quality family-sustaining jobs.”

The Inquirer is the first newspaper to announce its choice among candidates competing in the Democratic gubernatorial primary on May 18th.

In an editorial published in Sunday’s edition, the newspaper put it simply:

Wagner’s background as a fiscal steward makes him best of all of the Democratic candidates.

Read the full press release here.

Read the Inquirer’s article here.

“I am honored for the Inquirer’s endorsement and its recognition of the record and experience that I would bring to the job as Governor,” Wagner said. “If elected, I pledge to be a Governor that families in southeastern Pennsylvania and all across the Commonwealth can trust and count on.”

Highlights of the endorsement follow:

“He promises to maintain that approach if elected governor. Among his proposals, he would end expensive sole-source or emergency contracts to just one bidder, and end pay-to-play deals where state contracts can be traced to political donations. Wagner supports a constitutional convention to consider the size and scope of state government. To help get the state to shape up fiscally, he would deny pay to legislators for every day the state budget is late. Wagner also would eliminate bonuses for state workers, support caps on political donations, and have an independent commission redraw legislative district lines.”

“Wagner’s background makes him a very attractive candidate. The Marine veteran earned a Purple Heart in Vietnam. After graduation from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, he became a safety engineer and joined the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. He served 10 years on the Pittsburgh City Council and 10 years in the state Senate. Wagner was elected auditor general in 2004 and was reelected in 2008, receiving the most votes of any candidate on the ballot in that presidential election year. That’s a tribute to his determination as a fiscal watchdog. Under Wagner, the Auditor General’s Office has completed more than 25,000 audits that have saved taxpayers millions of dollars.”

“Many of now-Gov. Rendell’s deep-pocketed campaign contributors are on the Onorato bandwagon, suggesting that they may think he would be a sequel to Rendell. But this is not a time when voters want what they’ve already had. Coming out of the recession, with state budgets across America desperate for resuscitation, they want elected leaders who make hard decisions about spending and taxes that they can confidently expect to be devoid of any calculation other than the best bottom line. The Democrats’ best choice to provide that type of fiscal leadership is someone who is already taking a focused, unbiased look at how Pennsylvania can do a better job managing its budget.”

I have made my pledge to Pennsylvania voters to ensure their government serves them soundly and efficiently. The Department of Public Welfare is falling short, Wagner said. I have sounded the alarm as Auditor General and will implement structural reform as Governor.

Wagner vowed immediate steps to tighten administration and oversight of vitally important programs to the state’s most vulnerable residents so that they fulfill their mission.

Wagner found a Department of Public Welfare program that provides cash assistance to welfare recipients seeking employment was rife with mismanagement and poor oversight, creating an environment for potential fraud and abuse that could cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars.

A separate audit found the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, through its county assistance offices (CAOs), failed to make proper Medicaid eligibility determinations on more than 1,600 Medicaid applicants between January 2005 and March 2008, resulting in $3.3 million in improper payments made on behalf of ineligible recipients. Of the offices sampled in the audits, the error rates averaged 14 percent for Pennsylvania, and for the CAOs with the highest error rates, they averaged 21 percent for Philadelphia County and 42 percent for Allegheny County.

Read the press release here.

Read the full press release here.

These individuals recognize Jack’s career-long efforts as a top advocate for veterans and veterans’ issues. The new group joins “Students for Wagner” and “Women for Wagner” in supporting Wagner as the best prepared candidate to lead Pennsylvania through these challenging times.

I am humbly grateful for the overwhelming show of support by my fellow veterans, Wagner said. Pennsylvania has 1.3 million veterans who have put their lives on the line to protect the freedoms of our great nation and Commonwealth. The next Governor has a clear responsibility to fight for these brave men and women. I have fought for them throughout my career and I will fight for them even harder as Governor.

In addition to the Veterans Alumni Association of Allegheny County, “Veterans for Wagner” includes:

• Robert Abbott, Catholic War Vets (Allegheny County)
• Dan Blissman, U.S. Navy Vietnam Veteran (Westmoreland County)
• Bob Boland (Lackawanna County)
• James Bruder, U.S. Navy Club Chaplain (Allegheny County)
• Greg Daley (Allegheny County)
• Ron Demicheli (Allegheny County)
• Joseph DeVito (Forest County)
• Bill Dilla (Crawford County)
• Hal Donahue, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Air Force, Ret. (Lackawanna County)
• Michael Dunn, M.D., Brigadier General, U.S. Army, Ret. and Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh (Cambria County)
• Glenn Embree, U.S. Navy, Plumbers and Pipefitters Union (Westmoreland County)
• Richard Fallon, Former spokesman POW/MIA Association (Allegheny County)
• Jack Flaherty (Allegheny County)
• Mike Hall, American Legion Post 358 Commander (Delaware County)
• Floyd Johnson, Jr. (Allegheny County)
• Frank Lopes (Allegheny County)
• Moe Mahoney, U.S. Navy (Allegheny County)
• Seamus Maloney (Allegheny County)
• Dave Mankamyer, U.S. Army Sergeant, environmental consultant, and former County Commissioner (Somerset County)
• Anthony Marceca (Dauphin County)
• John May, U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran (Allegheny County)
• Ed McDonald, former All-American Commander of VFW Post, Sayre (Bradford County)
• James Mullen, U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam Veteran (Allegheny County)
• Bob Myers, Northwest Veterans Coalition (Venango County)
• Bernie Paisano (Allegheny County)
• Tom Petrone, Former Pennsylvania State Representative (Allegheny County)
• Rocco Polidoro, American Legion Post Commander, Springfield (Delaware County)
• Richard Portis, Robert Morris University Small Business Project Director (Allegheny County)
• William Sargent (Allegheny County)
• Thomas Scholler, Jr., Former Adjutant, Belleview VFW Post 2454 (Allegheny County)
• Ed Sheehan, Catholic War Vets (Allegheny County)
• Wayne Vlasic, Monessen City Controller (Westmoreland County)
• Ray Webb, Veterans Alumni Association (Allegheny County)

“I am a Desert Storm veteran and military physician with 39 years of service,” said Michael Dunn, M.D., Brigadier General, U.S. Army, Ret. and Clinical Professor of Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh (Cambria County). “I have known Jack Wagner over the five years that I have lived in Pennsylvania since leaving active duty, and I respect him for his strong commitment to the support of Pennsylvania’s large population of combat veterans. Jack has the heart, values, and energy that make him stand out as our strongest candidate for Governor. He has my vote and strong support.”

“Jack is a United States Marine Corps combat veteran, and a man who keeps his word and stands ready to move us forward,” said Jim White, Chair of the Veterans Alumni Association of Allegheny County. “Simply look at his record as Auditor General, the watchdog for our taxpayers’ dollars. He is a real leader who has been able to turn up the heat in Harrisburg to attack waste, fraud, and abuse in government spending. His actions are safety first, and at this turning point of our Commonwealth’s history, we need a man who knows how to walk the ‘point,’ read a compass, and keep his bearings. Jack is someone who measures twice and cuts once.”

“Simply put, Jack Wagner is a great person, and he’s a great candidate,” said Richard Fallon, former spokesman POW/MIA Association (Allegheny County).

“I am supporting Jack because he is a decorated veteran who demonstrated character under fire in combat. He literally bled for this country in war, earning the Purple Heart,” said Bob Myers, Northwest Veterans Coalition (Venango County). “His common sense approach to running state government coupled with reform and fiscal responsibility makes him a winner in my book.”

“Jack has always there for our veterans. And he has always been there for their families, too,” said Hal Donahue, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Air Force, Ret. (Lackawanna County)

“I have known Jack as a public servant for years, and I believe in his commitment to developing Pennsylvania’s tremendous wealth of natural resources in an environmentally responsible way while learning from our mistakes of the past,” said Dave Mankamyer, U.S. Army Sergeant, environmental consultant, and former County Commissioner (Somerset County). “Knowing that Jack is a United States Marine Corps combat veteran reinforces my opinion that there is no special interest that he will not take on when it is the public’s interest that is at stake.”

Wagner’s conversation focused on his HOPE Scholarship Program to help families afford the cost of higher education.

Higher education must remain at the forefront of issues due to its profound importance to students, families, and the state economy, Wagner said following the event.

“HOPE” is an acronym for Helping Our Pupils to Excel. Under Wagner’s program, students who graduate from high school with at least a 3.0 grade point average would have their tuition paid for at a state-owned university. Students choosing to attend a state-related institution, a private institution, a community college, or a vocational-technical school would receive a scholarship valued at the average cost of a state-owned university. The program would be funded by excess profits from table games at Pennsylvania casinos.

Wagner has long championed HOPE scholarships. As a state senator, he introduced legislation to establish such a program four different times.

As Pennsylvania’s Auditor General, Wagner has fought hard in Harrisburg to make higher education more affordable. His first-ever special performance audit of the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency highlighted wasteful spending in the state’s top agency for providing financial assistance to needy Pennsylvania students and resulted in much-needed reforms. He also called for a sweeping overhaul of the PHEAA board by replacing half of the legislators on the board with financial and academic experts and a full-time post-secondary student.

Earlier in the day, Wagner met with Clearfield County citizens at a breakfast held at the American Legion in DuBois.

Later today, Wagner will be participating in a rally with Venango County Democrats in Franklin and speaking at a dinner with Jefferson County Democrats in Sykesville.

The day will culminate with a candidates’ forum on economic development at Penn State University’s DuBois campus. The forum is sponsored by the Greater DuBois Chamber of Commerce.

We have voted to endorse Jack Wagner for Governor by a 3 to 1 margin. Two of the Democratic candidates for Governor are from Allegheny County, but only one has the depth of experience at all levels of government to start leading Pennsylvania in an efficient, lean, and new direction from day one, said Richard Melzner, President of UAW Local 544 and Vice President of the Retirees of UAW Local 544. Jack has been the major official in Harrisburg uncovering waste, fraud, and abuse in the handling our taxpayer dollars. When the current Governor calls Jack Wagner a ‘pain in the butt,’ I think that a lot of Pennsylvanians, like us, consider that a badge of honor. We are just one working-man’s Local from the Mon Valley, but we ‘Back Jack’ because we know that he can lead Pennsylvania back on the right track.

Read the full press release here.

Organized in 1903, Local No. 1 has the distinction of being the first firefighter union in the country.

In an endorsement statement issued by Local No. 1, President Joseph E. King said:

It is an honor to support someone like you who will support workers and their rights. We support your vision for Pennsylvania and know that you are the right person to make it happen. We know that electing someone with your background of hard work and integrity will lead this state to success.

“I am humbly grateful and privileged to have the support of Joseph King and the Pittsburgh Fire Fighters Local No. 1, and commend them for their hard work and dedication to improving public safety for all Pennsylvanians,” Wagner said. “These brave men and women put their lives on the line. I look forward to working with them if I am fortunate to be elected Governor.”

Read the full press release here.

The club is a Democratic organization in Cumberland County with a solid record of helping to elect many Democrats to public office. East Pennsboro is the second largest township in Cumberland County with approximately 20,000 residents.

The East Pennsboro Democratic Club is honored to endorse Jack Wagner for Governor, said Matt Franchak, President of the club. What I like the most about Jack is that he has always taken an interest in how local and state government entities can work together to maximize Pennsylvania’s potential. He has a proven record of reform, and he has good ideas for future growth from HOPE scholarships for Pennsylvanians to investments in alternative energy. This is what the Commonwealth needs to get back on track. No one has better experience to make these reforms a reality.

“I am honored to have the support of the East Pennsboro Democratic Club,” Wagner said. “The members of the club have demonstrated successful leadership and proven performance while serving in public office. I look forward to working with local leaders in Cumberland County and across the state if I am fortunate to be elected Governor.”

Read the full press release here.