PENNSYLVANIA — It’s no secret that the GOP field of candidates for Pennsylvania Governor is weak — full of conspiracy theorists and vapid yes-men who are only concerned about getting Donald Trump’s endorsement rather than what’s good for Pennsylvanians. Republican donors and operatives are so worried about their current choices that they’re actively recruiting other candidates, including a former Congressman who hasn’t held public office in over 5 years.
The Philadelphia Inquirer published a detailed breakdown of GOP woes and how their weak field may spell Democratic victory in 2022:
Philadelphia Inquirer: Pa. Republicans see a big opportunity in 2022. But some are worried their candidates might blow it.
“For most, the GOP concerns are more acute in the gubernatorial race, according to interviews with Republican or conservative donors and operatives. Most spoke on the condition of anonymity to reveal private discussions and candidly assess their party’s potential nominees.
Much of the worry comes from the Philadelphia region, where the party is driven by a more pre-Trump establishment. After seeing Republicans decimated in the suburbs in recent years, there’s a fear that a weak or Trump-styled gubernatorial nominee could sink even more down-ballot candidates in competitive local races.
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Guy Ciarrocchi, president of the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry, said he “has heard from several people” about running for governor himself, and “I am listening” — though many in the party doubt he can muster a serious challenge.
Like Gerlach, Ciarrocchi is also from McSwain’s home county, suggesting that potential rivals don’t see McSwain, a former U.S. attorney, as an insurmountable force. Gerlach did not respond to messages seeking comment.
“People are naturally questioning who’s out there on the governor’s side and who’s going to be the right candidate,” said Josh Novotney, a GOP lobbyist from Philadelphia who has worked on statewide campaigns.
The GOP critics especially see State Sen. Doug Mastriano (R., Franklin), a likely gubernatorial candidate, as a lightning rod who could win a fractured primary but make the Republican ticket unpalatable in a general election. Former U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta is well-liked personally. But many Republicans believe he ran a lackluster 2018 campaign against Democratic Sen. Bob Casey and fear a repeat as he now campaigns for governor
Both are vocal Trump supporters.
McSwain was seen as a potential alternative with a prosecutor’s tough-on-crime resume and potential appeal in the state’s populous suburbs. But some argue his brawl with Barr undercut his main selling points.
McSwain, Trump revealed, had written to the former president suggesting he was blocked from investigating voter fraud allegations. But Barr, his former boss, said McSwain had crafted an intentionally misleading letter, admitted to doing it to curry favor with Trump, and had just wanted to “flap his gums” for publicity. He said McSwain had license to investigate.
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