Scranton Steps Down, Swann on the GOP Ticket

Today, in a move that surprised many, Lt. Governor Bill Scranton withdrew from the race for Governor. This came as former-Steeler Lynn Swann steps up his campaign for the Republican endorsement. While Scranton certainly has the political know-how to be an effective governor, Swann had the early advantage in terms of name recognition. Getting a huge cheer at the Super Bowl couldn't have hurt either.

Scranton, in a statement he released to the press, said, "Our campaign is strong, but not strong enough to defeat a candidate who has received the near unanimous backing of state and national party leaders. "

Scranton's withdrawal allows Swann's campaign to save much of its money for the real race against the incumbent, Ed Rendell. Had Scranton stayed in the race, the two Republicans would have to battle it out for the party's nomination, and then would have to fundraise twice as much to combat Rendell. There is still a third Republican nominee on the ticket, Jim Panyard; while he has not official withdrawn from the race, he isn't expected to present much of a problem for Swann's nomination.

The battle of Pennsylvania East (Rendell) and West (Swann) is now beginning.