Montco Commish Announces Run For Lt. Governor, But He's Too Young

NORRISTOWN, PA — Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Gale, the lone Republican on the board and an outspoken supporter of President Trump, has announced his candidacy for Pennsylvania's lieutenant governor.

But there's one thing making this more unusual than other candidacies: at age 28, Gale is too young to legally hold the office. A lieutenant governor must be 30, and Gale will not turn 30 until March of 2019, months after the election.

However, Gale said that if he won, he would just delay being sworn into office by two months, something for which there are, in fact, a few instances of precedence in American politics.

"For too long, the Commonwealth has been disgraced by criminal politicians and unethical judges who have tarnished the offices they held and embarrassed the citizens they served," Gale said in announcing his run. "Ending this culture of corruption demands leadership guided by common-sense and moral character: qualities which I will bring to the office of Lieutenant Governor."

Current Lt. Gov. Mike Stack, a Democrat, has had a messy relationship with Gov. Wolf. Much of the controversy stems from an alleged incident where he lambasted his security detail and other state employees at his residence.

Gale becomes the fourth Republican to throw his hat into the ring to replace Stack. Five Democrats, including Montgomery County's State Rep. Madeleine Dean and Chester County Commissioner Kathi Cozzone, have also announced their candidacy. Stack himself will also attempt to be re-elected.

While primaries for governor and lieutenant governor are held separately, the winners run together as a single ticket for their party come the general election in November.

In his candidacy announcement, Gale touted his history of voting "no" on tax increases, and his work to deregulate business in the county. Gale also said he was the first elected official in the state to formally endorse President Trump during the 2016 election season.

The primaries are set for May 15.

Image courtesy Joe Gale for Lieutenant Governor