Who’s who in the 2018 midterm elections: Governors

Tom Wolf, Democrat

Incumbent candidate Tom Wolf began his first term as Pennsylvania Governor in January of 2015. Former CEO of the Wolf Organization, Wolf spent two years in India serving with the Peace Corps, boasts a doctorate in political science from MIT, and served as state revenue secretary from 2007-2008. As governor, Wolf has refused to take a state salary or pension and requires his cabinet to be transparent about their expenses by posting them online. Wolf has spoken against the EPA cuts proposed by Donald Trump, is a loud supporter of solar energy, and has banned drilling for natural gas in state parks. Wolf, according to his website, has “progressive values.” Stopping animal cruelty, approving medical marijuana, fighting discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity against state employees, criminal justice reform, and improving guidelines for prescribing opioids are among Wolf’s projects since taking office. If reelected, he plans to further these and other missions, including education reform projects like the $1 billion he restored to the education budget. Wolf also supports increasing the minimum wage and access to healthcare.

Scott Wagner, Republican

The first write-in candidate ever to win election to the Pennsylvania State Senate, Scott Wagner served in chamber from 2014-2018. Wagner owns a waste disposal company and his website says he plans to clean up the employment mess in the state by taking on “the big union bosses who own Tom Wolf — so he can fix the student-robbing pension crisis and make sure funding goes to students.” The gubernatorial candidate claims Harrisburg is filled with corruption in the form of bribery and fraud — though no specific incidents or reports are cited — and plans to protect the paychecks of Pennsylvania citizens by correcting the “gross mismanagement” of taxpayer money. 

Ken Krawchuk, Libertarian

An experienced computer programmer, Ken Krawchuk claims to be the only moderate choice for state governor. According to Krawchuk, “Taxes and spending are out of control.” He vows to veto every tax increase that is proposed if elected, and to “introduce a series of budgets that will completely eliminate the PA personal income tax over four years.” Krawchuk believes parents should choose what district their child attends for school, and that the taxes they pay should go towards that school district regardless of where the child’s address is. He is a firm supporter of gun rights, believes violent criminals should not receive parole, equates pollution with trespassing, and supports the rights of LGBTQ individuals because “it’s none of the government’s business what goes on between two consenting adults.” 

Paul Glover, Green

Former professor of urban studies at Temple University and founder of more than a dozen organizations, including the Ithica Health Alliance and Philadelphia Orchard Project, Paul Glover is running for governor with a Green Party endorsement because he believes both the Republican and Democratic parties “are dominated by major corporations and their lobbyists.” Glover will accept no corporate or PAC funding as the Green Party candidate. His goals as governor include progressive taxation, banning fracking, creating hundreds of thousands of jobs by transitioning the state to green energy, rehabilitation instead of incarceration for criminals, funding education, complete reform of the Pennsylvania Insurance Department, state-wide decriminalization of marijuana, and promoting “gun rights, not machine gun rights.”

Zeila Hobson can be reached at voices.spectator@gmail.com.

RELATED ARTICLES