Doherty makes state Senate run official

BILL O ’ BOYLE

boboyle@timesleader.com

SCRANTON – Mayor announced Thursday that he is no longer running for governor and that he is running for the state Senate in the 22nd District.

Doherty, 51, said the recent decision of 10-term state Sen. Robert Mellow is the main reason he decided to switch races, because Northeastern Pennsylvania needs a “proven leader” in Harrisburg.

“I have decided, after a great deal of thought and conversation with my family, to end my campaign for governor and, instead, run for the Pennsylvania state Senate,” Doherty told a small group gathered at the construction site of the new Commonwealth Medical College on Pine Street.

The three-term Scranton mayor said when he entered the governor’s race last year his priorities were to focus on creating jobs, getting the economy in Northeast Pennsylvania back on track and moving the region past “the old politics that have plagued our region and our state.”

Doherty said while he was seeking the Democratic nomination for governor he received “a tremendous reception” everywhere he went.

“Unfortunately, in this day and age, running for statewide office means spending most of the day raising money,” Doherty said. “I’d rather be working on the challenges facing Northeast Pennsylvania. My commitment to job creation, economic growth and changing the way government operates is unwavering.”

Doherty said when Mellow decided to not seek re-election he felt he could still advance all of the same issues by running for the state Senate.”

“I was immediately interested,” he said. “Not only is it an opportunity to promote job creation initiatives and economic growth in the Northeast, but it’s also an opportunity to pick up the torch for our region.”

Doherty said his nine years as mayor have prepared him for the state Senate. He said Scranton has a low crime rate – just one homicide in 2009 – a superb public park system and thousands of new jobs since he took office.

“By representing the 22nd Senate district, I plan to make sure we’re not forgotten,” Doherty said. “I grew up in Scranton as one of 11 kids, and now that I’m raising six kids of my own, I am more committed than ever to making this the best state in the country for families.”

Doherty joins a field of declared candidates that includes Frank Scavo, a Republican from Old Forge; state Rep. Jim Wansacz, D-Old Forge; and Joseph Albert and Chris Phillips, Democrats from Scranton.