Coalition of Progressive Groups Announces First Gubernatorial Debate

Coalition of Progressive Groups Announces First Gubernatorial Debate
All five major Democratic candidates have agreed to face off on January 29, 2010

(HARRISBURG, PA)—A coalition of self-described progressive organizations is hosting the first debate of the 2010 race for governor as a part of the Pennsylvania Progressive Summit. All five Democratic candidates have agreed to participate.

Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty, Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel, Philadelphia Businessman Tom Knox, Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato and Auditor General Jack Wagner will face questions from an audience made up of progressive activists and leaders from across the state. Tom Corbett and Jim Gerlach were invited to participate but have not yet responded.

The debate will be held on January 29, 2010 at 7:00 PM at the Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey on Lindle Rd. in Swatara Township. It will be hosted by a coalition of progressive organizations, including Keystone Progress, the Service Employees International Union PA State Council, Pennsylvania AFL-CIO, Alliance for American Manufacturing, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776, Planned Parenthood PA Advocates, United Steelworkers, and PennAction. Dozens of other organizations are already part of the planning process for the debate.

“We are excited about the impact that our gubernatorial debate will have,” said Eileen Connelly, Executive Director of SEIU PA State Council. “Since this is likely to be the first debate, the progressive community will help to set the agenda for the entire campaign.”

Questions will come from the sponsoring organizations and from the audience, which will be made up of participants in the Pennsylvania Progressive Summit. Hundreds of progressive grassroots and netroots leaders and activists will be gathering the weekend of the debate to network and discuss the progressive agenda for 2010.