Tom Wolf for Governor

Now, don’t get me wrong. Tom Wolf is a good man and I agree with his positions on the issues. I supported him for Governor in the Democratic Primary Tuesday, but that was a late endorsement when it was clear he was going to win. I felt that we all needed to get behind a strong candidate in order to defeat Republican Tom Corbett in the fall.

But Wolf would not be where he is today if not for money.

The main candidates didn’t differ that much on the issues. But Wolf spent something like $10 million of his own money to win this election, and the others just could not compete.

It’s sad that money has so much power in America to sway elections. But then, that’s one of the reasons I supported Wolf. He’ll have the money in the general election to fight Corbett like he needs to be fought.

Let’s face it, money doesn’t always guarantee a win. (Hi, President Forbes!) It can’t make an unlikable candidate charismatic. But it sure can help a good candidate zoom past other good candidates.

Wolf not only spent lots of money, but also spent it wisely. He hired the best consultants and ran excellent commercials in the right markets. Many Democrats like me noticed and said “Any of the candidates would make a good Governor, but only one seems to be way ahead of the others in being a good campaigner.”

I’d love to see campaign finance reform change the game. But until then, we have to play by the rules as they exist. And lots of money helps you win.

Might as well say it now, and get it out of the way: If you don’t vote, don’t complain.

Tom Wolf

Tomorrow is primary election day in Pennsylvania. Turn out will be extremely low. It’s a non-Presidential year, and in Pennsylvania, you have to be registered to a party to vote in the primary (sorry, independents).

This means that your vote is worth a lot more. One vote can really make a difference in a small election.

If you are a Pennsylvania resident, this election is tremendously important. Right now, the Republicans have a majority in our state house and in the governor’s office. Our current governor is one of the most unpopular in the entire country and is quite beatable, but we Democrats need to pick someone who can stomp our current governor into the ground.

Electing a Democrat will mean accepting the Obamacare medicare plan into a state that wants it (according to all polls).

Brad Koplinski

It will mean pushing for marriage equality (in the only northeastern state that doesn’t have it). It will even mean pushing for a fairer tax system and maybe even marijuana legalization.

I hope you will vote for Tom Wolf for governor and Brad Koplinsky for Lt. Governor. I’ve met both and they’re very committed and intelligent men who deserve your vote. (Brad, by the way, graduated from my law school, so admittedly we spent most of our time together reminiscing about professors we had in common. Not only that, but he knows how to spell “lieutenant.”)

And don’t forget the other races. There are good candidates who deserve your support for state representative and state senate. There may even be other local races on the ballot where your vote is tremendously important (mayor, judge, dog catcher…). Please do a search for your area and see who is running so you can make up your mind.