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Hafer to run for Murtha's seat Monday, February 15, 2010 By James O'Toole, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Former Auditor General Barbara Hafer confirmed today that she had decided to enter the race to succeed Rep. Jack Murtha in the 12th Congressional District. Barbara Hafer Ms. Hafer told the Post-Gazette last week that she was considering the race. Today, she said that after conferring with Democratic leaders in the district, she had decided to go forward...

Casey enters U.S. Senate race; Hafer withdraws Friday, March 04, 2005 By Maeve Reston, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette WASHINGTON -- Pennsylvania State Treasurer Robert P. Casey Jr. announced today that he would challenge U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum for his seat in 2006, likely setting up one of the most closely watched races in the country next year. And clearing the way for Casey, state Auditor General Barbara Hafer today announced she would pull out of the race just days after she announced her candidacy. Casey, a Democrat who opposes abortion rights, has long been eyed by the Democratic leadership as a formidable...

With Democratic State Treasurer Robert P. Casey Jr. on the verge of announcing he will run for the U.S. Senate next year, fellow Democrat and former Treasurer Barbara Hafer surprised his camp Wednesday by beating him to the punch and entering the race. "We're in it," Mrs. Hafer, 61, of Allegheny County, told The Associated Press. "I'm getting a campaign up and running." Earlier in the day, two sources close to Mr. Casey told The Tribune he was close to announcing a run for the Democratic Senate nomination and a fall contest against U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, the presumptive Republican...

Sources: Casey Announcement on Senate Race Imminent; Will Challenge Santorum PoliticsPA is the first to report that State Treasurer Bobby Casey Jr. has decided to challenge Senator Rick Santorum. Casey is long considered the most formidable challenger to our junior Senator, and promises to be among the most highly-watched and costly races of the 2006 campaign cycle. Later this week, the Democratic leaders from the United States Senate will be in Philadelphia. Sources also tell PoliticsPA that former Treasurer Barbara Hafer is also likely run. EMILY's List, the pro-choice women's PAC has pledged to support Hafer over Casey in the...

HARRISBURG, Pa. -- After months of speculation that she would switch her party affiliation from Republican to Democrat, state Treasurer Barbara Hafer told The Associated Press today that she had officially changed her registration. Hafer, who is in her second term as treasurer and previously served two terms as auditor general between 1988 and 1996, said she had completed the paperwork for making the switch and had it filed yesterday. She said she made the switch simply because she felt her progressive stance on social issues, such as her support of abortion rights, no longer fit with the Republican Party....

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...

Rendell Transition (Philadelphia) - Governor-Elect Ed Rendell began to lay out the groundwork for his administration yesterday. During a press conference at his Philadelphia campaign headquarters, Rendell named six people to head his transition team. As expected, Republican Barbara Hafer will serve as co-chair. Rendell says Hafer's appointment is an indication that he intends to avoid partisanship during the transition. Joining Hafer are Steven Frobouck, John Fry, Arthur Makadon, San Staten, and Paul Tufano. Former Lieutenant Governor Mark Singel will head Rendell's transition executive committee. The remainder of the team should be in place within the next two weeks.

Pittsburgh Post Gazette Editorial: Where's her beef? / Hafer's defection is good copy but perplexing Editorial: Where's her beef? / Hafer's defection is good copy but perplexing Thursday, September 05, 2002 State Treasurer Barbara Hafer's decision to cross party lines and endorse Democrat Ed Rendell for governor provides a high for political junkies (and probably some hives for Republican nominee Mike Fisher). But it is difficult to find substance beneath the sensationalism. It seems inadequate to attribute Ms. Hafer's defection to pique at being pressured to pull out of the Republican primary in favor of the better-financed Mr. Fisher. But...

Hafer crossing party lines to back Rendell for governor Tuesday, September 03, 2002By James O'Toole, Post-Gazette Politics Editor State Treasurer Barbara Hafer, a Republican, will cross party lines to endorse Democrat Ed Rendell in his race for governor against GOP Attorney General Mike Fisher. The surprise development will be showcased in Fisher's political back yard in a press conference tomorrow morning on the steps of the City-County Building in Downtown Pittsburgh. Hafer and Rendell will then set out on a cross-state tour with stops in Harrisburg and Philadelphia later in the day. Hafer is to continue to campaign actively for...