Jack Wagner - A Late Entrant into the Race, but the Next Mayor of the City of Pittsburgh?

With the accidental youth mayor dropping his re-election bid to continue "leading" Pittsburgh, and given that Republicans need not have applied for the position for the position in eighty years, I believe that former Marine, City Councilman, State Senator, and Auditor General Jack Wagner will emerge victorious in a crowded field.

General Wagner has vast experience and a well-deserved reputation for integrity, dignity, and accomplishment.  I was a city resident during the time he served on Council and remember well his saintly behavior, remaining calm and cool while under provocation and fire, often from another potential 2013 mayoral candidate, then-Councilman Jim Ferlo.

Wagner’s tenure as Auditor General was a great success, demonstrated him to be independent, and served to shine a light on many governmental schemes and expenditures that were not in the interest of the public at large. The Commonwealth now has another good man as Auditor General, my friend, former State Representative Eugene DePasquale, for whom this registered Republican proudly cast his vote in November.

I want to believe that Jack Wagner would not engage in mudslinging in his campaign nor would accept hefty donations or gifts from individuals and entities with an interest in city policy.  Pittsburgh has endured enough “pay to play”/quid pro quo shenanigans designed to benefit the wealthy and powerful.

If there is a significant flaw in Jack Wagner’s candidacy, perhaps it is his ill-advised and tragic vote for the 2001 pension grab/sweetener for legislators, rank and file state employees, and public school teachers, a measure which was not legitimate or needed.  I am sure he will not be recounting this error in judgment nor would he welcome the issue being raised.  This bill, followed by years of Commonwealth contributions to the pension funds of either a nominal amount or zero have formed the basis for the current dire condition of the funds, a $41 billion shortfall which was dumped in the lap of Governor Tom Corbett, which he is now seeking to address.

There is no perfect candidate Mayor of Pittsburgh or for any other office. If I had a vote in the city of Pittsburgh Democratic primary, I would choose the best of the lot: a mature, genteel, seasoned leader. Jack Wagner is that person.