Pittsburgh, PA – Amongst hundreds in attendance at the 11th Annual Talk Magazine’s PA African-American Network Convention, Mark Critz, the former Congressman from Pennsylvania’s 12th District and current candidate for the Democratic Nomination for Lt. Governor, announced that he had secured another critical endorsement from an Allegheny County elected official, State Representative Ed Gainey.
“I am proud to stand alongside Rich Fitzgerald, Mike Doyle, John Weinstein, Mike Finnerty and Jake Wheatley in supporting Mark Critz,” said Representative Gainey. “He is a western Pennsylvania guy who understands the issues we face and whose experience will be a major asset to the Democratic ticket this fall. I look forward to working with him in Harrisburg.”
With no gubernatorial candidate emerging from the western half of Pennsylvania, many party officials see having a balanced ticket as a key for the Democrats to win in November. As Pennsylvania’s second most populous county, endorsements from Allegheny County’s elected officials really bolster a candidate’s chances considering it is projected to have a higher than average voter turnout.
“It’s important that we match an eastern candidate for Governor with a western candidate for Lt. Governor, especially a tested candidate like Mark Critz” Gainey went on to say. “He knows all aspects of government from the federal, state and local level. He will make a great Lt. Governor.”
In addition to the support he has received from elected officials, the Mark Critz for Lt. Governor Committee has also received key endorsements from labor organizations, including the United Steelworkers, the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 66 and the Cambria County Building Trades. Representative Gainey also joins his fellow state representatives Jake Wheatley, Bryan Barbin, Frank Burns, Pete Daley, Gary Haluska and Ted Harhai in endorsing Critz.
“My years of experience and my commitment to public service is registering with these great leaders,” said Critz. “They know that if we are going to defeat Tom Corbett in the fall we need a ticket that is knowledgeable, engaging, and has the ability to bring out the vote. Those are my strengths.”
The Primary election will be held on Tuesday, May 20th.