Is the field beginning to take shape in the Pennsylvania governor's race?

In a surprise announcement during a taping on KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh yesterday, Auditor General Jack Wagner said he will be a candidate in the Democratic primary in 2010.

"I have every intention of running for governor. I have not formally announced, but, incidentally, no one else has either," Jack Wagner said at a taping of the KD-PG Sunday Edition show. Wagner, a former state Senator who is from the southwest, is a proven vote getter with a record of being fiscally and socially conservative.

Back East, former U.S. Rep. and current Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel says he's thinking about running for governoron the Democratic ticket, according to the politics Web site, pa2010.com.

Two Democrats close to Hoeffel told pa2010.com that he is "going to spend some time testing the waters." In an interview, Hoeffel told the Web site that while he has not taken any steps toward running such as fundraising, he was keeping his options open. 

Hoeffel gave up his House seat to challenge Sen. Specter in 2004 and in 2006 made a brief entry into the lieutenant governor's race before bowing out at the request of Gov. Rendell who supported Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll for a second term.

If Hoeffel enters the race he would be the second likely candidate from the Philadelphia region. Businessman Tom Knox - who ran unsucessfully for Philadelphia mayor - has said he is considering a bid for governor too.

“I believe there’s got to be southeastern Pennsylvania progressives in these state races in 2010,” Hoeffel told pa2010.com. “I think it’s really important for the future of the party. I think that’s what will lead to victories for the party statewide. I want to make sure there are good candidates running, people that I can support. If I think I’ve got something different to offer, I’d think about that.

“I haven’t made any decisions, I’m nowhere near making any decisions,” he added. “I’m not raising money. I’m not taking any aggressive steps.”

Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato, while still not officially announcing his bid, holds the lead in fundraising - and many believe in Democratic party support so far - with $4 million on hand last month.

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