Inquirer political reporter Tom Fitzgerald weighs in on the early possible entries in the 2010 governor's race:
Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham plans to seek reelection to his current job next fall, but the invitation to tonight’s fundraising reception at the Waterworks restaurant in Philadelphia does not mention that, nor does it need to say what every check-writing guest will know already: The 2010 race for governor is well underway, and Cunningham is among the Democrats pursuing the prize.
Gov. Rendell is listed at the head of the host committee – Cunningham was in his cabinet as Secretary of General Services - and several Rendell money people are signed up to sell tickets to the $250-per-person cocktail event, scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. Among them: Richard Schiffrin, Charles Breslin, Herb Vederman, Terry Grayboes. Rendell also loaned his name to a Cunningham fundraiser last May at Cuba Libre, though the governor is carefully staying neutral in the contest to succeed him.
Cunningham hopes to net at least $150,000 from the event. He and other potential candidates have been quietly traveling the state, meeting people, testing the waters. "For most of ’08 it was so submerged and under the radar," Cunningham said. "Nobody pays attention, nor could you break through with the presidential campaign. You keep the ball moving forward…now you’re going to see a lot of activity." Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato is exploring a race for the nomination, and several Philadelphia-area Rendell backers have raised funds for him, too. Onorato rival Jack Wagner, just reelected as state auditor general, is said to be interested, as are former Revenue Secretary Tom Wolf, a York County businessman, and Tom Knox of Philadelphia, the millionaire insurance wizard who ran unsuccessfully for mayor last year. There also is talk that state Treasurer Robin Weissman, appointed to the post after incumbent Bob Casey Jr. was elected to the Senate in 2006, may throw her hat in the gubernatorial ring. Cunningham, who helped lead a revitalization of Bethlehem when he was mayor there, said he is positioned as a "fiscally conservative, socially progressive Democrat" who might do better in populous eastern Pennsylvania than a "pro-gun, pro-life Democrat from western Pennsylvania."
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