Pennsylvania

Trump is sowing chaos in the Pennsylvania governor’s race


by Chris Brennan and Andrew Seidman
Updated Apr 12, 2022

Donald Trump is still sowing chaos in Pennsylvania Republican politics. Five weeks before the May 17 primary, the former president on Tuesday showcased his lasting power to shape the contours of GOP elections.

First, former U.S. Attorney Bill McSwain suddenly found himself on the opposite side of what he hoped would be Trump’s endorsement of his campaign for governor, something McSwain had sought since last June. Trump, in a stinging rebuke, denounced McSwain as a “coward” and singled him out as one candidate in the crowded GOP field that he won’t endorse.

Then, State Senate leader Jake Corman filed a court petition to withdraw his name from the primary ballot for governor — only to quickly do an about-face, citing Trump’s slam against McSwain. Corman also said he had spoken to Trump, who “encouraged me to keep fighting.”

And to top it off, former U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, another leading candidate, just happened to have a campaign fund-raiser planned for Tuesday evening at Mar-a-Lago, Trump’s private club in Florida. A source close to Barletta’s campaign said the event had long been planned.

https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/donald-trump-pennsylvania-governor-race-20220412.html

Jake Corman is staying in the Republican race for Pennsylvania governor after moving to drop out


by Andrew Seidman
Updated Apr 12, 2022

Pennsylvania state Senate leader Jake Corman was dropping out of the Republican primary for governor. Then he changed his mind.

Shortly after filing a petition in state court Tuesday to remove his name from the ballot for the May 17 primary election, Corman released a statement saying he wasn’t going anywhere. He cited a conversation with Donald Trump and the former president’s withering criticism of a rival candidate for the about-face.

“Two developments today have led me to decide to remain in the race for governor: President Trump’s statement on the race and my conversation directly with the president,” Corman said, referring to Trump’s statement earlier in the day calling former U.S. Attorney and fellow GOP gubernatorial hopeful Bill McSwain a “coward.” “He encouraged me to keep fighting, and that’s what I’m going to do — keep fighting for the people of Pennsylvania,” Corman said.

The back-and-forth developments created a sense of whiplash in the race just over a month before the primary, and left a sprawling field still standing — and still jockeying for Trump’s support. And they showcased Trump’s lasting influence on Republican candidates for elected office.

https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/jake-corman-drop-out-pennsylvania-governor-race-20220412.html