PITTSBURGH -- After months of rumors and speculation, Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato officially says he's running for governor of Pennsylvania.
Onorato toured the state on Tuesday and announced his candidacy in Harrisburg, at Philadelphia's City Hall and at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Hall on Pittsburgh's South Side. The 5 p.m. stop in Pittsburgh was interrupted by protesters of the
G-20 Summit held in Pittsburgh on Sept. 24-25, WTAE Channel 4's Shannon Perrine reported. Emergency officials told WTAE Channel 4 Action News that as many as six people were taken outside the event and received citations.
Onorato, flanked by his family, shared a proud moment with a room packed with supporters in Pittsburgh, marred by one interruption.
Protesters who disguised themselves as Onorato supporters erupted and demanded the charges against other demonstrators during the G-20 protests be dropped. The county executive and gubernatorial candidate took it in stride.
"Now, hold on. Now, now. That's what makes a democracy great," Onorato said. "We want to hear everybody's voice, and you know me, I don't shy away from any criticism. I make the tough decisions to move this region forward."
Police escorted the protesters out, handcuffing a couple of them, while Onorato pressed on, making his announcement speech.
"It's a shame that some people don't understand manners and where the appropriate place (is) to these things, but, hey, it's America. God bless 'em," Onorato said.
Onorato said Pittsburgh has gone from the brink of bankruptcy to a vibrant metropolis, and he pledged to improve Pennsylvania's business climate, increase educational opportunities and preserve green space.
"I take a lot of pride, standing here in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, to declare my candidacy to be the governor," Onorato said.
Along the way Tuesday, Onorato gave speeches saying he's been able to keep from increasing property taxes and he has made government more efficient.
"I'm sure my dreams and wishes are the same as every parent in this commonwealth. We've got turn the commonwealth around. So, if you want young people to stay in the state, there's one thing you have to have, and that's jobs," Onorato said. You've got make sure the economy and the environment is right to create the development that we need."
Onorato spoke about his successful effort to eliminate four of the county's 10 row offices and to consolidate five 911 emergency centers into a single facility. He also took credit for reducing the county's 6,000-person payroll by nearly 10 percent.
Onorato has been reportedly fundraising for months now for his 2010 gubernatorial campaign and at last check, his war chest had grown to nearly $5 million.
The 48-year-old is in his second term as county executive and was formerly a Pittsburgh councilman and county controller. He has a bachelor's degree from Penn State University and a law degree from the University of Pittsburgh. Onorato and his wife, Shelly, have three children and live in Pittsburgh's Brighton Heights neighborhood.
Onorato will compete for the Democratic nomination with Philadelphia businessman Tom Knox, Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty and Montgomery County Commissioner Joel Hoeffel.
Auditor General Jack Wagner, of Pittsburgh, has also signaled interest as a Democrat but hasn't officially joined the race.
"It's going to be a fun fight. I don't look at it as a hard fight, it's going to be fun," Onorato said. "We don't know who's in yet, but I've been in tough races before. We know what to do to put together a winning campaign, and we're going to do what we need to do to win this in May."
Last month,
Attorney General Tom Corbett said he will face state Rep. Jim Gerlach of Chester County for the Republican nomination. Corbett
quickly snagged an endorsement from former Homeland Security Secretary and Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge.
Gov. Ed Rendell cannot run again, due to term limits.
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