News Stories

July 30, 2008
Washington Observer-Reporter

Incumbent AG, Dem candidate for treasurer make most of festival
by Cara Host, Staff writer

WAYNESBURG - Politicians were plentiful, but, unfortunately, raindrops were not at Waynesburg's famous Rain Day festival Tuesday.

Since hundreds of potential voters fill High Street throughout the day, office seekers often use the popular event as a campaign stop. This year, incumbent state Attorney General Tom Corbett and state treasurer candidate Rob McCord visited Waynesburg to enjoy the festivities and meet constituents.

The campaigns of both state representative candidates, Democratic incumbent Bill DeWeese and challenger Greg Hopkins, were also highly visible Tuesday.

"One, it's fun. It's a lot of fun. And two, it's a nice way of paying respect to a community and its traditions," said McCord in explaining why he came to Waynesburg on the town's most famous holiday.

McCord, a Democrat from Montgomery County, will face the Republican nominee, fellow Montgomery Countian Tom Ellis, in the Nov. 4 general election.

Corbett, a Republican from Allegheny County, is trying to secure a second full term as attorney general, but he will have to defeat Democrat John Morganelli of Northampton County in the fall.

The attorney general has sparked headlines recently because of corruption charges against a dozen former and current Democratic lawmakers and staffers, including DeWeese's chief of staff.

The indictments raised Corbett's profile and placed him on the short list of potential gubernatorial candidates in 2010. Corbett is currently focused on the attorney general's race, but he did not reject the possibility of higher office during an interview Tuesday.

"We'll see what happens later," he said. "I did not get into this office to run for governor, and right now my calendar only goes to November 4."

Morganelli has criticized Corbett's handling of the corruption investigation, saying he unfairly targeted Democrats and not Republicans. People affiliated with the House Democratic caucus stand accused of illegally rewarding campaign work with taxpayer-funded bonuses to state employees.

Corbett said the investigation involved policymakers for both parties, and he anticipates more arrests as the probe continues. He said his office filed corruption charges against more Republicans than Democrats during the past four years. Most of those arrests involved officials on county and municipal levels.

Corbett touted his office's investigations of child sexual predators, drug dealers, elder abuse and public corruption.

Agents from the attorney general's office pose as children in Internet chat rooms to find people trolling the Web for sex with minors. The operation nabbed 151 suspected predators since its creation three years ago.

"I know as a grandparent, that issue really concerns me," said Greene County Commissioner Archie Trader, who is supporting Corbett in the attorney general race.

McCord, the candidate for treasurer, is a former venture capitalist. He said he can use the skills he honed in the private sector to control government spending and encourage economic development.

"I am a prudent-minded business person who knows how to protect public finances," McCord said.

He said he could use state investments to encourage companies into setting up shop in Pennsylvania. He also would like to use the treasurers' audit authority to curb waste.

http://www.observer-reporter.com/OR/Story/07-30-political-rain-day

July 25, 2008
Marketwatch.com
Pennsylvania AFL-CIO Resoundingly Reaffirms Endorsement of Senator Barack Obama for President and Announces Endorsements for Statewide Row Offices, U.S. Congress and State Legislature

Pennsylvania AFL-CIO Resoundingly Reaffirms Endorsement of Senator Barack Obama for President and Announces Endorsements for Statewide Row Offices, U.S. Congress and State Legislature

Last update: 5:37 p.m. EDT July 24, 2008
HARRISBURG, Pa., July 24, 2008 /PRNewswire-USNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Pennsylvania AFL-CIO President William George today announced the reaffirmation of the AFL-CIO's endorsement of Senator Barack Obama for President which was made by the AFL-CIO's General Board on June 26, 2008 and endorsements made today by the PA AFL-CIO Executive Council for Attorney General, Auditor General, State Treasurer, for U.S. House of Representatives, and for the State Legislature.
"Barack Obama comes from a working class family, with working class values. He fought for equal pay, minimum wage, prevailing wage improvements, card check, responsible bidder and unemployment for locked-out workers. He stands up for working people and he will turn our economy around so that all Americans will benefit from fair trade, affordable health care, pension protections and the right to form a union," Pennsylvania AFL-CIO President William George said.
In announcing the other endorsements for statewide seats, U.S. Congress and State Legislature, George said, "These candidates have proven themselves to be the friends and supporters of working families. They understand that workers are struggling in this economy with stagnant wages, soaring prices for health care, gas and food. They advocate and support an agenda that mirrors the priorities of the labor movement. We are confident that they will put this country back on track toward prosperity and opportunity for all not the few," George declared.
"These endorsements are not only a stamp of approval, it marks the continuation of building the biggest political mobilization of union households in the history of Pennsylvania. On election day, union members and their families will play a major role in deciding the direction of the nation," Pennsylvania AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Richard Bloomingdale said.
The Pennsylvania AFL-CIO is the largest labor organization in the State, representing 1.2 million union workers and their families. Endorsements are made by a 2/3rds vote of the members of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO's Executive Council representing unions affiliated with the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO. The following candidates are endorsed by the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO for the November General Election:

PRESIDENT
Barack Obama D

AUDITOR GENERAL
Jack Wagner* D

STATE TREASURER
Robert McCord D

U.S. CONGRESS
1 Robert A. Brady* D
2 Chaka Fattah* D
3 Kathy Dahlkemper D
4 Jason Altmire* D
5 Mark B. McCracken D
6 Bob Roggio D
7 Joe Sestak* D
8 Patrick J. Murphy* D
9 Tony Barr D
10 Chris Carney* D
11 Paul E. Kanjorski* D
12 John P. Murtha* D
13 Allyson Schwartz* D
14 Mike Doyle* D
15 Sam Bennett D
16 Bruce A. Slater D
17 Tim Holden* D
18 Tim Murphy* R
19 Philip J. Avillo, Jr. D

PA SENATE
3 Shirley M. Kitchen* D
7 Vincent J. Hughes* D
9 Dominic Pileggi* R
11 Michael A. O'Pake* D
13 Jose E. Urdaneta D
15 Judy Hirsh D
17 Daylin Leach D
19 Andrew E. Dinniman* D
25 Joseph B. Scarnatti, III* R
27 John Gordner* R
29 James J. Rhoades* R
33 Richard Alloway, II R
35 John N. Wozniak* D
37 John Pippy* R
39 Tony Bompiani D
41 Don White* R
43 Jay Costa, Jr.* D
45 Sean Logan* D
47 Sean Michael Ramaley* D
49 Cindy Purvis D

PA HOUSE
1 Patrick J. Harkins* D
2 Florindo "Flo" J. Fabrizio* D
3 John Hornaman D
4 Rick Mitchell D
5 John Evans* R
7 Mark Longietti* D
9 Christopher Sainato* D
10 Jaret Gibbons* D
11 Dave Wilson D
12 John Olesnevich D
13 Tom Houghton D
14 Dennis Rousseau D
15 Vince Biancucci* D
16 Robert F. Matzie D
17 Donald Duke Whiting D
18 Gene DiGirolamo* R
19 Jake Wheatley* D
20 Don Walko* D
21 Dom Costa D
22 Chelsa Wagner* D
23 Dan Frankel* D
24 Joseph Preston, Jr.* D
25 Joseph Markosek* D
26 Fern B. Kaufman D
27 Daniel J. Deasy, Jr. D
28 Brad Cline D
29 Brad Kirsch D
31 Steve Santarsiero D
32 Anthony DeLuca* D
33 Frank Dermody* D
34 Paul Costa, Jr.* D
35 Marc J. Gergely* D
36 Harry Readshaw* D
38 Bill Kortz* D
39 David Levdansky* D
42 Matt Smith* D
44 Ayanna Lee D
45 Nick Kotik* D
46 Jesse White* D
48 Timothy Solobay* D
49 Peter Daley, II* D
50 H. William DeWeese* D
51 Tim Mahoney* D
52 Deberah Kula* D
53 Jack Hansen D
54 John Pallone* D
55 Joseph Petrarca* D
56 James Casorio, Jr.* D
57 John W. Boyle D
58 R. Ted Harhai* D
59 Michael J. O'Barto D
61 Frank X. Custer D
63 Matthew Ellenberger D
66 Samy Elmasry D
71 Bryan Barbin D
72 Frank Burns D
73 Gary Haluska* D
74 Camille "Bud" George* D
75 Dan Surra* D
77 H. Scott Conklin* D
79 Richard Geist* R
88 Sheryl M. Delozier R
93 Darrell L. Raubenstine D
95 Eugene A. DePasquale* D
96 P. Michael Sturla* D
103 Ronald Buxton* D
106 Phyllis Bennett D
107 Robert Belfanti, Jr.* D
112 Ken Smith* D
113 Frank Andrew Shimkus* R/D
114 Jim Wansacz* D
115 Edward Staback* D
116 Todd Eachus* D
117 Russ Bigus D
118 Mike Carroll* D
119 John Yudichak* D
120 Phyllis Mundy* D
121 Eddie Day Pashinski* D
122 Keith McCall* D
123 Neal Goodman* D
124 David G. Argall* R
125 Tim Seip* D
126 Dante Santoni, Jr.* D
127 Thomas Caltagirone* D
130 David R. Kessler* D
131 Karen D. Beyer* R
132 Jennifer Mann* D
133 Joseph F. Brennan* D
135 Steve Samuelson* D
136 Robert Freeman* D
137 Richard Grucela* D
140 John T. Galloway, Sr.* D
141 Anthony Melio* D
142 Chris King* D
143 Marguerite Quinn* R
144 Katharine Watson* R
145 Tom Peterson D
148 Mike Gerber* D
149 Tim Briggs D
150 Mike Vereb* R
151 Rick Taylor* D
152 Thomas P. Murt* R
153 Josh Shapiro* D
154 Lawrence Curry* D
156 Barbara McIlvaine Smith* D
157 Paul J. Drucker D
159 Thaddeus Kirkland* D
160 Stephen Barrar* R
161 Bryan Lentz* D
162 John DeFrancisco D
163 Nicholas Micozzie* R
164 Mario Civera, Jr.* R
166 Gregory Vitali* D
167 Carol Palmaccio D
168 Ian Thomas D
169 Dennis O'Brien* R
170 Brendan F. Boyle D
171 Joanne Tosti-Vasey D
172 John Perzel* R
173 Michael Patrick McGeehan* D
174 John P. Sabatina, Jr.* D
175 Michael H. O'Brien* D
176 Mario Scavello* R
177 John J. Taylor* R
178 Steven Rovner D
179 Tony Payton* D
180 Angel Cruz* D
181 W. Curtis Thomas* D
182 Babette Josephs* D
184 William Keller* D
185 Robert Donatucci* D
186 Kenyatta Johnson D
187 John Ritter D
188 James Roebuck, Jr.* D
189 John J. Siptroth* D
190 Vanessa L. Brown D
191 Ronald Waters* D
192 Louise Williams Bishop* D
193 Neil F. Clifford D
194 Kathy M. Manderino* D
195 Frank Oliver* D
197 Jewell Williams* D
198 Rosita Youngblood* D
200 Cherelle L. Parker* D
201 John Myers* D
202 Mark B. Cohen* D
203 Dwight Evans* D

* Incumbent
SOURCE Pennsylvania AFL-CIO

Copyright (C) 2008 PR Newswire. All rights reserved End of Story

Source: http://tinyurl.com/6cz3dm

June 16, 2008
Philadelphia Daily News
Stu Bykofsky: Comedy, charity & public servants who hold back
By Stu Bykofsky
Philadelphia Daily News

Daily News Columnist

A JOKE I like:

I was depressed last night so I called the Suicide Lifeline.

I got connected to a call center in Pakistan.

I told them I was suicidal.

They got all excited and asked if I could drive a truck.

You might hear that, or possibly something more ribald, from me Tuesday, Aug. 19, at the 18th Annual Stu Bykofsky Candidates Comedy Night, a fundraiser for Variety, the Children's Charity.

This year's show features local and statewide races.

In congressional contests, 1st District Democratic incumbent Bob Brady will return for his umpteeth appearance. In the 13th District, Republican attorney Marina Kats, a Russian emigre, is serious about challenging Democratic incumbent Allyson Schwartz.

In the 8th District, Democratic freshman Rep. Patrick Murphy is facing a challenge.

In a rare occurrence, some candidates turned their backs.

There's been a train wreck in the 2nd District. Republican challenger Mike Livingston quit the race and Democratic incumbent Chaka Fattah quit the show - in which he'd appeared in the past - sending word that he'd buy a table but that the show is not "his thing." (Maybe he feels he suffered enough in the mayoral race.)

Brady's opponent, Mike Muhammad, never returned phone calls over a period of weeks. If he's unapproachable now, just imagine him being elected. (Sorry, my imagination isn't that good.)

To my surprise, Rep. Murphy's Republican opponent, Tom Manion, declined, even declined to say why. The Variety summer camp for handicapped kids is located in Montgomery County, a part of which is in the district he wants to represent.

In statewide races, Republican incumbent Attorney General Tom Corbett will swap gags with Democratic challenger John Morganelli, the district attorney of Northampton County. For treasurer, Democrat Rob McCord faces off against Republican attorney Tom Ellis.

In a high-profile state Senate race, first-timer Larry Farnese beat two challengers to get the nomination for the seat Vince Fumo will vacate, and faces determined Republican Jack Morley.

Finally, in the 172nd state House district, former speaker Republican John Perzel is being challenged by Democrat Rich Costello, former head of the Fraternal Order of Police.

The show again will be staged at Finnigan's Wake, 3rd & Spring Garden streets. Doors open at 7:30, show starts at 8 p.m. sharp.

Like the previous 17, the 18th edition of the show will benefit the Delaware Valley chapter of Variety - the Children's Charity, which works with handicapped kids. Through 2007, more than $300,000 has been raised, thanks to the public and to the generosity and public spirit of the candidates, with the exceptions I noted.

Tickets are $60 each. Reserved tables of 10 ($600, it's simple math) are available. Tickets are tax-deductible. Checks should be made out to "Variety" and mailed to Variety, c/o Ellen Ganley, 2nd floor, 1520 Locust St., Phila., PA 19102. For credit-card orders, call Ellen Ganley at 215-735-0803. Tables are assigned in the order of checks received.

If any of the "public servants" who declined want to change their minds, they know how to reach me.

E-mail stubyko@phillynews.com or call 215-854-5977. For recent columns: http://go.philly.com/byko.

http://tinyurl.com/4ygz2b

April 14, 2008
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Editorial: For State Treasurer, Democratic Primary;
McCord has the credentials

Four candidates are vying for the Democratic nomination to become Pennsylvania's treasurer - a relatively obscure state row position that too often has been used as a springboard to higher office.

Bob Casey was treasurer before he won his U.S. Senate seat in 2006. His replacement, Robin Wiessmann, decided not to run for a full term. Wiessmann had been an investment banker and adviser to state treasurers in several states. But financial acumen historically has not been a requirement for this post.

That makes little sense for the head of a department that's responsible for investing all state agency funds and managing nearly $100 billion in the state's two largest public pension funds.

This year's Democratic field does include candidates with business experience that would be helpful in watching the state's pension fund investments.

Of the four, ROBERT McCORD is the most qualified to become state treasurer. A venture capitalist with degrees from Harvard and the Wharton School, McCord, 49, has spent 14 years managing more than $1 billion in assets. (He was a founder of the Eastern Technology Fund, an investor in Philadelphia Media Holdings, owner of The Inquirer.)

The Bryn Mawr resident has never held elective office and he isn't making campaign promises that can't be kept. He acknowledges that the state may not be able to afford the cost-of-living increases some legislators want for state pensioners and retired teachers.

McCord is prepared to oversee the Treasury Department's 530 employees and annual budget of about $60 million. His best asset, though, is also a concern - his close ties to the financial world.

McCord's inner circle includes powerful money-management associates, but he promises they won't have "undue" influence over him if he is elected treasurer. He says he will recuse himself when necessary. Voters should also keep in mind that the treasurer does not make investment decisions solo. The treasurer is only one of 15 members of the Pennsylvania Public School Employees Retirement System board. The State Employees Retirement System board has 11 members.

Others running for treasurer include John Cordisco, the Bucks County Democratic Party chairman, who helped found Team Capital Bank. A former state legislator and school board member, Cordisco is also a lawyer.

State Rep. Jennifer Mann, 38, of Allentown, has represented the 132d district in Lehigh County since 1998. She is considered a rising star in the party.

Former Philadelphia resident Dennis Morrison-Wesley, 58, of Harrisburg, a self-described fiscal conservative, is a financial consultant and cable salesman who has never held public office.

The winner will face Republican Tom Ellis of Montgomery County, who has no primary opposition.

April 23, 2008
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Democrats pick McCord to run for Pa. treasurer
By Mario F. Cattabiani; Inquirer Staff Writer

Rob McCord, a Montgomery County venture capitalist, easily defeated three opponents yesterday to become the Democratic nominee for state treasurer.

Thanks to name recognition built up through a massive TV ad campaign, McCord held off his closest rival, John Cordisco, the Bucks County Democratic Party chairman.

State Rep. Jennifer Mann of Allentown finished third, while Dennis Morrison-Wesley of Harrisburg, a former investment salesman, trailed the field, according to unofficial statewide results.

In the fall, McCord will face Tom Ellis of Elkins Park, who was unopposed for the Republican nomination.

"Especially in these economically challenging times, people wanted someone with significant financial experience and they saw I had that experience," McCord, a 49-year-old Bryn Mawr resident, said late last night.

With by far the largest war chest of the candidates, McCord was able to blanket most of the state in commercials in recent weeks in this otherwise below-the-radar contest.

McCord had raised $3.5 million in the primary, about $2.5 million of which went for ads.

In early returns, McCord appeared to capture impressive margins in his home county of Montgomery, as well as Chester and Delaware Counties. He also out-balloted Cordisco nearly 2-1 in Allegheny County, where McCord spent a lot of time campaigning.

Cordisco, a lawyer and former House member, easily won his home turf of Bucks and held a slight advantage in Philadelphia as votes were still being tallied.

The treasurer serves as Pennsylvania's chief financial officer, making decisions on where to invest billions in tax revenue, and has influence over investing hundreds of billions more as a member of the state's two largest public pension funds.

If not for the Pennsylvania Democratic presidential primary, which captured all the attention, the treasurer's race would have been the marquee statewide matchup.

A graduate of Harvard and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, McCord cofounded and has served as managing director of Pennsylvania Early Stage Partners, a family of venture funds that invests in technology companies, and cofounded the Eastern Technology Fund, a provider of funding for more than 800 businesses. The fund is an investor in Philadelphia Media Holdings L.L.C., owner of The Inquirer and Daily News. Brian P. Tierney, Inquirer publisher and Philadelphia Media chief executive, is on the fund's advisory board.

During the campaign, Cordisco accused McCord of an inherent conflict of interest, given that much of his contributions came from money managers and investment bankers that do business with the treasurer's office.

McCord dismissed those concerns by saying he would remove himself from any dealings involving people who gave him money or worked closely with him in the past.

The winner of the McCord-Ellis race will replace Robin L. Wiessmann, who is filling the unexpired term of Robert P. Casey Jr. He left the Treasurer's Office after winning a seat in the U.S. Senate.

Contact staff writer Mario F. Cattabiani at 717-787-5990 or mcattabiani@phillynews.com.

Source: http://www.philly.com/philly/news/politics/state/20080423_
Democrats_pick_McCord_to_run_for_Pa__treasurer.html