Football star runs for Pa. governor as Republican
Peter Jackson
PITTSBURGH — Former Steelers star Lynn Swann, who declared
his candidacy for Pennsylvania governor, says he is confident he
will win the state GOP committee’s endorsement.
However, if the committee endorses one of his three competitors
next month, Swann said Wednesday he may contest the party’s
candidate in the May 16 primary.
“If I need a primary to win, then I would have to take a serious
look at being in the primary,” he said.
Swann, 53, declared his candidacy in the city where he made his
name in professional football. His announcement was no surprise:
Swann’s political committee has been raising money for his
campaign for nearly a year.
He told The Associated Press in an interview Wednesday afternoon
that he made up his mind to run in the fall after spending months
weighing support at events around the state.
Swann, a Hall of Fame receiver and longtime TV football commentator,
faces three other candidates in seeking the Republican nomination
for governor — his first run for political office. The winner
of the May 16 primary likely would face Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell,
who is expected to seek a second four-year term.
If successful in his first bid for political office, Swann would
become Pennsylvania’s first black governor.
Swann kicked off his campaign with a rally Wednesday night in Pittsburgh.
Former Steelers teammate Mel Blount introduced Swann, accompanied
by his wife and two sons. He plans appearances in five other cities
Thursday and Friday.
The Steelers won four Super Bowls during Swann’s nine-year
pro career with the team. He has worked for ABC Sports since his
retirement from football in 1983.
Swann said he had put off a formal announcement until Wednesday
to avoid conflicts with his ABC Sports duties.
If elected, Swann said he would not resume his broadcasting career
even on a part-time basis. Rendell moonlights as a Philadelphia
Eagles post-game analyst for Comcast SportsNet in Philadelphia.
“I think the people of Pennsylvania would rather have a governor
who is committed to being there,” Swann said.
Swann has so far revealed little about his political philosophy
or the initiatives he would pursue as governor. He has advocated
reducing certain business taxes and said he opposes abortion rights.
The other candidates are former Lt. Gov. William Scranton III, state
Sen. Jeffrey E. Piccola and Jim Panyard, former director of the
Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association. In independent polling,
Scranton III and Swann are running ahead of the other two GOP candidates,
but behind Rendell.
Swann said Wednesday he hopes to convince blacks that he is a better
candidate than Rendell, the former Philadelphia mayor.
The Democratic Party has “taken the African American vote
for granted,” he said.
(Associated Press)
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