Key Candidate For PA Governor Leaves Race

HARRISBURG, PA — State Sen. Jake Corman dropped out of the race for Pennsylvania's Republican gubernatorial nomination Thursday and endorsed former U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta ahead of Tuesday's state primary.

"It's time for me to step aside and support someone who can win in the fall," Corman, of Centre County, said at a Thursday morning news conference.

Corman, 57, the Senate pro tempore, announced his candidacy in November. He said his more than two decades of experience in the General Assembly made him uniquely qualified for the governor's office.

"Someone who comes from the Legislature, who understands the Legislature, can work with the Legislature to get good things accomplished is something that we need," Corman said then. "I think we're tired of sort of the gridlock and the back-and-forth between the two."

It's unclear how much Corman's support of Barletta will matter.

State Senator Doug Mastriano of Franklin County has a significant lead in the race for the state's
Republican gubernatorial nomination, according to a Trafalgar Poll released this week.

Mastriano - a staunch supporter of former President Donald Trump - received support from 26. 7 percent of respondents. Barletta was a distant second at 17.6 percent. Corman received just 5.3 percent.

The winner of the May 17 GOP primary will face state Attorney General Josh Shapiro in the November general election.

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