Lynn Swann endorsed by republican leaders

Peter Jackson

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania — Pennsylvania’s Republican Party leaders endorsed former Pittsburgh Steelers football star Lynn Swann for governor Saturday, virtually guaranteeing that he will be the candidate to face Democratic incumbent Ed Rendell this fall.

“I haven’t cried this much since I was inducted into the Hall of Fame,” Swann told the applauding crowd as he wiped tears from his eyes. Swann is seeking to become Pennsylvania’s first black governor.

Swann, 53, was unopposed for the endorsement, which came in a unanimous voice vote during a meeting of the 300-plus-member Republican State Committee at a downtown hotel.

Though he has revealed little about his political philosophy, he has said the Democratic Party has “taken the African-American vote for granted.”

He did not shed any new light on his platform Saturday, but castigated Rendell as too willing to raise taxes to finance his initiatives.

Rendell, who is seeking a second term, did not immediately return a call for comment.

Swann faces at least token opposition in the May 16 Republican primary from retired business advocate Jim Panyard, who did not compete for the party endorsement.

A novice in politics, Swann remains a sports celebrity and his name is as inextricably linked to Pittsburgh — the state’s second-largest city — as Rendell is tied to Philadelphia, where he once was mayor.

At the end of 2005, Rendell had more than $12 million in his war chest. Swann’s campaign ended the year with about $1 million.

Swann was a wide receiver for the Steelers from 1974-83 and led the National Football League team to four Super Bowl victories. After retiring from football, he worked as an ABC Sports television commentator. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001.

(Associated Press)