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Corman's Legislation that Changes the Way Pennsylvania
Selects its Lt. Governor Clears Senate Committee
(HARRISBURG) – Legislation
authored by Sen. Jake Corman (R-34) that changes the way
Pennsylvania selects its Lieutenant Governor cleared a
senate committee today and is now headed to the full Senate
for consideration.
Under current law,
candidates for lieutenant governor run separately in the
primary election, with the winner joining forces with the
party’s candidate for governor.
Senate Bill 170 would create
a process similar to the one used to select vice
presidential candidates. The bill eliminates the primary
election for lieutenant governor and would allow each
party’s nominee for governor to choose a running mate,
subject to the approval of state party committees.
"It makes more
sense for governor and lieutenant governor candidates to run
as a unified and cohesive team, which ultimately leads to
better public policy," Corman said. "The leadership at the
top will be stronger if the governor and lieutenant governor
share common goals and ideals."
Currently, Pennsylvania's
minor party lieutenant governor candidates are selected by
the gubernatorial candidate and with Senate Bill 170, all
political parties in Pennsylvania would choose the
lieutenant governor running mate in a similar manner.
"This change in
how our lieutenant governor is selected not only takes money
out of the system by reducing campaign contributions, but it
also leads to building excitement within the parties as
anticipation mounts as to who the gubernatorial candidates
selects as a running mate," said Corman. "This is an
election reform measure, a good government measure, which
will lead to a stronger Pennsylvania."
Senate Bill 170 was passed
by the Senate State Government Committee and now heads to
the full senate for consideration.
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