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December 17, 2009

To GOP’s Cawley, big issue is fear

The Bucks County Republican visits the area to promote a run for lieutenant governor.

By Bill O'Boyle boboyle@timesleader.com
Staff Writer
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WILKES-BARRE – Jim Cawley wants to be Pennsylvania’s next lieutenant governor and the Bucks County Republican said on Wednesday the state is broken and he will help fix it.

Cawley, 40, of Middletown Township near Langhorne, said he has endorsed state Attorney General Tom Corbett for governor and feels the two would make a solid team. Corbett has not endorsed any candidate for lieutenant governor.

“There is one thing out there that is uniting Pennsylvanians – fear,” Cawley said. “People are fearful of losing their jobs and they are afraid they won’t be able to pay their bills; that they won’t be able to pay for the child’s education.”

He said taxpayers are looking for leadership from elected officials who won’t play political games.

Cawley has not yet “officially” entered the race, but he acknowledged that it’s a matter of formality. He has a Web site – www.CawleyforLG.com – and he is actively campaigning for the post.

He said the 101-day-long budget impasse motivated him to run. The Bucks County commissioner said the main purpose of the state Legislature is to pass a budget each year.

“I’d like to see two-year budgets passed,” Cawley said. “That would allow those most affected to be able to plan more wisely, and it would assure that vital services continue to those who need them.”

Cawley said being a resident of southeast Pennsylvania makes him a good balance to Corbett, who is from the western part of the state. Luzerne County will play a big role in deciding the state’s next governor, he said.

“And with Lou Barletta running for Congress, I feel we will have a governing partnership between Harrisburg and Washington,” Cawley said. “The Republican Party will have great candidates throughout the state from top to bottom.”

In 2005, Cawley was appointed to the Bucks County Board of Commissioners and won election in 2007. As commissioner, Cawley has established a record of being a strong fiscal conservative.

A graduate of Bishop Egan High School, Bristol Township, he holds a bachelor of arts degree in political science from Temple University College of Arts and Sciences, and graduated cum laude. He received a juris doctorate from Temple University School of Law.

Cawley and his wife, Suzanne, reside in Middletown Township.

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