Job Description: The Governor serves as the chief executive officer of the Commonwealth, and through his or her cabinet, controls all state departments and agencies. The Governor's legislative authority includes the preparation of state budgets, the proposal of legislation to the General Assembly, and the power to veto legislation (subject to the override of a two-thirds majority in each General Assembly chamber). The Governor's law enforcement powers include command of the State Police and the Pennsylvania National Guard. The Governor also has the power to grant pardons and reprieves of convicted criminals.
A candidate for Governor must be at least thirty years old and have resided in the Commonwealth for at least seven years (unless nonresidence resulted from federal or Pennsylvania State government service).
Unofficial Candidates for Governor of Pennsylvania 2010
Democrats
Joseph Hoeffel
Current Job: Montgomery County Commissioner, Vice Chairman since 2008 Website: joehoeffel2010.com
Background: Pennsylvania State Representative 1977-1984
Attorney in private practice in Montgomery County
U. S. Representative, 1999-2004
Hometown: Abington, Montgomery County
Dan Onorato
Current Job: Allegheny County Executive since 2004
Website: www.voteonorato.com
Background: Pittsburgh City Councilman 1992-2000
Allegheny County Controller 2000-2004
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Allegheny County
Anthony H. Williams
Current Job: State Senator for PA's 8th District since 1999
Website: www.senatoranthonyhwilliams.comBackground: State Representative for PA's 191st District, 1989-1998
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Jack Wagner
Current Job: PA Auditor General since 2005
Website: www.jackwagner.org
Background: Pittsburgh City Councilman 1984-1993
Pennsylvania State Senator 1994-2005
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Allegheny County
Republicans
Tom Corbett
Current Job: PA Attorney General since 2004
Website: www.tomcorbettforgovernor.com
Background: United States Attorney, Western Pennsylvania 1989-1993
Assistant U.S. Attorney 1980-1983
Assistant District Attorney, Allegheny County 1976-1980
Hometown: Shaler Township, Allegheny County
Robert Allen Mansfield
Current Job: Sergeant in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard
Website: www.mansfield4pa.org
Background: Deployed to Iraq December 2006-2007
CEO, Meredith Capital
Hometown: Philadelphia, Philadelphia County
Samuel E Rohrer
Current Job: State Representative for PA's 128th District since 1993
Website: www.samrohrer.org
Background: Bob Jones U. Class of 1977;
Republican chairman of the House Finance Committee
Hometown: Elverson, Berks County
Independents
Richard Gordon
Current Job: Trucker
Website: www.gordonforpagovernor.com
Background: Port Authority of Allegheny County Employee 1974-1999
Owner of Trucking Company 2003-2008
Hometown: Bethel Park, Allegheny County