Sam Rohrer seeks to be Pa. governor

State Rep. Sam Rohrer, a champion of abolishing the school property tax in Pennsylvania, is poised to enter what is fast becoming a crowded field of candidates for governor.

A Republican from Berks County, Rohrer e-mailed contacts around the state yesterday inviting them to attend a town-hall meeting Nov. 17 in West Lawn at which he planned to announce his decision on a run for governor "and begin a statewide conversation" about issues.

Rohrer, in a phone interview, played it a bit coy, saying he wasn't quite prepared to declare himself a candidate. He clearly wanted to allow for a morsel of suspense.

The two announced Republicans in the field - state Attorney General Tom Corbett and U.S. Rep. Jim Gerlach - have far greater name recognition, an earlier start on raising money, and a bigger political-support base. And Rohrer's 128th House District is mostly within Gerlach's Sixth Congressional District.

But Rohrer hopes to capture the political mood he said he saw reflected in Tuesday's elections - the feeling that taxes and spending are too high.

"Have I often been described as one of the most conservative members of the House?" he asked rhetorically. "Yes, I have been, and I'd say that's true."

Rohrer, 54, has been a repeat sponsor of a bill to eliminate the school property tax and replace it with an expanded sales tax, gaming revenue, and royalties from new gas fields.

Michael Barley, spokesman for the Republican State Committee, said, "The more people that are interested in running on the Republican ticket - that speaks to the fact that we can win. We are excited about it."

Five top Democrats also are running for governor. The party primaries will be in May.