I had just made my decision to support John Hanger for Governor when he withdrew from the race. Damn it.
Hanger was the first Democrat to announce his intention to run, back in late 2012. He knew he needed a head start to gather contributions and run his campaign using volunteers, rather than paid staff at the time.
The candidate that brought marijuana reform and the lack of oversight on fracking to the forefront of Pennsylvania’s 2014 gubernatorial race made his decision on March 13th. He stated he would be unable to compete with Democratic front runner Tom Wolf.
Hanger had said publicly, weeks before his announcement, that polls would have to reflect that he had at least 15 percent of the vote by mid-March. The polls showed him with only 8 percent. His withdrawal came only days after announcing he had acquired the signatures needed to be placed on the primary ballot.
“Our goal of winning the Democratic primary simply slipped beyond our reach,” Hanger said in a withdrawal statement issued this past Thursday. ”Tom Wolf’s television campaign has been startlingly effective, and he has taken a commanding lead, having reached support of 40% or more. With no path to victory, to press on could cause damage to the issues and people for which we campaigned.”
Hanger was the first candidate to endorse medical marijuana in Pennsylvania, as well as to support decriminalization of possession of small amounts. But Hanger’s stance on marijuana reform didn’t end there — his “three step plan” for marijuana reform in the Keystone state included the full legalization and taxation of marijuana “as soon as possible.”
Tom Wolf, the current front runner for the Democratic nomination, stated earlier this year that he supports legalizing medical marijuana and decriminalizing possession of small amounts, but says Pennsylvania should not consider legalizing marijuana until the impact of legalization can be determined in Colorado and Washington.
Hanger also made fracking controls a key issue for his supporters, though the mainstream media found the marijuana subject more appealing. As most of us are aware, fracking in Pennsylvania doesn’t receive the attention it so justly deserves as one of the major threats to our environment and health.
Hanger had promised to provide more control over the oil and gas industries that have received carte blanche from their friendly Gov. Corbett.
Disclaimer: On January 4, 2016, the owner of WestEastonPA.com began serving on the West Easton Council following an election. Postings and all content found on this website are the opinions of Matthew A. Dees and may not necessarily represent the opinion of the governing body for The Borough of West Easton.
