Former governor endorses Delozier
Mark Schweiker says the candidate will be a strong advocate for legislative reform
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Former Pennsylvania Gov. Mark Schweiker says people want lawmakers to do more than save money while in Harrisburg — they want them to make government better.
He said he has seen Sheryl Delozier, a candidate for the 88th Legislative District, do both.
Delozier headed the IMPACCT Commission, a cost-savings initiative started under Gov. Tom Ridge and continued during Schweiker’s tenure, that saved government $500 million while simultaneously cutting red tape, the former governor said.
“That gives Sheryl a unique experience to make government work better for the people who pay for it,” Schweiker added.
He formally endorsed Delozier at a West Shore campaign event Tuesday, saying the candidate’s experience and hard work best positions her to serve constituents in the 88th district.
“I’m not aware of a (legislative) newcomer who has the credentials she does,” Schweiker said.
Delozier is one of seven Republicans seeking to replace longtime state Rep. Jerry Nailor, R-88, who is retiring after 20 years in office.
Schweiker said he has seen first-time legislators come to Harrisburg with “embarrassingly little knowledge of how a bill becomes a law.”
Experience, he said, wouldn’t be a problem for Delozier.
A reform movement has swept the Capitol since the ill-fated Legislative pay raise of 2005, with many citizens preferring to elect candidates with few connections to Harrisburg.
Schweiker said Delozier also fits the reform mold, saying her knowledge of state government gives her the ability to analyze where reform is needed.
“I have little question Sheryl could lead the reformer caucus given her background.”
Schweiker became governor of Pennsylvania after President George Bush appointed Ridge director of homeland security in 2001. He had been Ridge’s lieutenant governor.
Schweiker left office in 2003 after his term expired to become the president and CEO of The Greater Philadelphia Area Chamber of Commerce.
The chamber’s non-partisan status does not allow him to make endorsements often, he said, but his close relationship with Delozier allowed him to make an exception.
“Hopefully residents can come to know her,” Schweiker said. “I hope I can only shine a spotlight.”
Tax lawyer Lowell Gates, former lobbyist Bill Cornell, small business owner Jeffrey Banzhoff, Mechanicsburg Borough Councilman Matthew Seagrist, health insurance manager Michael Hancock and financial adviser Ian Hayes are the other Republicans in the race. Former legislative aide Margaret Stuski is the lone Democrat in the race.
The 88th district comprises Lemoyne, Lower Allen, Upper Allen, New Cumberland, Shiresmantown, Mechanicsburg, Monroe and Wormleysburg’s 1st precinct.
