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Posted on 10/04/2003 8:15:42 AM PDT by Hacksaw
HARRISBURG -- Republican State Treasurer Barbara Hafer will do it again. Hafer will announce next week her support for Democrat Dan Onorato in the Allegheny County chief executive race.
Hafer, 60, of Elizabeth, shocked the political establishment in September 2002 with her endorsement of Democratic gubernatorial nominee Ed Rendell over Republican Attorney General Mike Fisher of Upper St. Clair. She later co-chaired Rendell's transition team and headed his finance committee.
Hafer is expected to announce her endorsement of Onorato in Pittsburgh Tuesday morning and then travel to McKeesport for another event on Onorato's behalf.
Hafer declined several requests for interviews over the past two days. Her office spokesman declined to comment Friday, saying politics is beyond his scope.
Onorato's campaign would say only that the candidate is scheduled to receive a major endorsement on Tuesday.
Political analysts say Hafer's decision is another step toward becoming what one called "a virtual Democrat."
"It's apparent that Barbara Hafer is a Democrat in every way, except party registration," said G. Terry Madonna, director of the Center for Politics and Public Affairs at Millersville University.
The move comes amid increased speculation that Hafer will switch her party registration to Democrat and run for the U.S. Senate in 2006 against Republican incumbent Rick Santorum of Penn Hills.
Onorato faces incumbent Republican Jim Roddey in the tight race for county chief executive.
"I don't think (Hafer's) actions are surprising," said Kent Gates, Roddey's campaign manager. "They are probably disappointing to a lot of people who have supported Barbara Hafer.
"From a person who has made her public career about protecting taxpayers and being a fiscal watchdog, it's disappointing that she would not stand up for the candidate who has a proven fiscal record of responsibility at the county by balancing the budget and improving the bond rating," Gates said. "Barbara is walking away from her own motto in politics."
Allegheny County Republican Chairman Richard Stampahar said he was surprised by the news, even though Hafer supported Rendell last year. "I'm really disappointed," Stampahar said. "I'm going to try to reach her and find out what's going on. It's like losing somebody in the family."
Hafer has "obviously been disenchanted with the Republican Party for some time," Pittsburgh political analyst Joseph Sabino Mistick said. "After last year's endorsement in the governor's race, she left herself no options in the Republican Party.
"Her only option is to look for a future in the Democratic Party or get out of politics," said Mistick, a Pittsburgh attorney.
"With a series of moves, the Rendell situation and now Onorato, she is making it easier for Democrats to roll out the welcome mat for her," he said.
Monday is the last day to change party registration for the Nov. 4 general election. By some accounts, if Hafer has decided to jump parties, the move might not come until later this year.
If Hafer intends to run for U.S. Senate in 2006, she will need to start raising money next year. Her ace in the hole is Rendell, the head of Pennsylvania Democrats.
Hafer is "a name-brand politician," Mistick said. "She has viability, and she's always been a big vote-getter. I would not rule her out for anything statewide."
Hafer was elected treasurer in November 1996 and re-elected in November 2000. Her four-year term expires in January 2005.
The former surgical nurse at McKeesport Hospital served two terms as state auditor general before winning the treasurer's post.
Under the old county commission form of government in Allegheny County, Hafer in 1984 became the first woman to serve as a commissioner.
Hafer was the Republican Party's nominee for governor in 1990. She was handed a crushing defeat by Gov. Robert P. Casey, the Democratic incumbent elected to his second term. Hafer was the first woman to run as a major party's nominee for governor.
Hafer campaigned for governor in 2002. Despite having the most public support among Republican hopefuls, according to statewide polls, Hafer withdrew as party leaders coalesced around Fisher, the state attorney general who was defeated by Rendell last November.
Good riddance, Mrs. Hafer.
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FreeRepublic , LLC PO BOX 9771 FRESNO, CA 93794
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I didn't realize she was so well qualified for the auditor and treasurer positions of a state with a multi-billion dollar budget. Yikes.
I think she will leave on her own accord.
BTW, I put a Roddey sign in my front yard - I wonder how long it will take to be stolen (I had 3 stolen last time he ran).
Now, doncha know that RINOs are good for the party? You can always count on them to do the right thing.
Don't you mean the LEFT thing ?
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