Philly Candidate Quits Race for Pa. Governor

Philadelphia businessman Tom Knox on Friday dropped out of the Democratic gubernatorial nomination race and said Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato is the party's best hope for holding onto the governorship.

Knox, a millionaire whose wealth made him an important wild card in the crowded field of candidates, said he decided last weekend to quit the race because his wife does not want him to run. He said he is impressed by Onorato's track record and promised to support his campaign.

“I'm going to make sure that Dan has enough money,” Knox told reporters on a telephone conference call.

Knox said he believes he could have been elected governor if he had stayed in the race. He reiterated that he was prepared to spend $10 million in the primary -- much of it from his own bank account --but said a nomination battle could divide the party and help the Republicans win in November.

Campaign finance reports covering contributions and spending through the end of 2009 are due Feb. 1. Onorato has said he expects to report a fundraising total of more than $6 million--much more than any of the other Democratic candidates have indicated they have raised.

“I was going to spend $10 million, Dan was going to probably spend $10 million, and we were going to beat each other up,” Knox said. “That's not appropriate to do in a Democratic primary.”

Onorato said he appreciated Knox's endorsement.

“Tom Knox has shown himself to be a true leader on government reform, economic development and education, and I welcome his strong support,” Onorato said in a statement.

Knox said he would personally urge the other Democratic candidates to drop out of the race and endorse Onorato.

All three promptly dismissed the idea.

“The last thing the public wants is the lack of a choice,” said Jack Wagner, the state auditor general from Pittsburgh.

“Joe is not dropping out, and he is in this to win,” said Frank Custer, a campaign spokesman for Joe Hoeffel, a former congressman who is now a Montgomery County commissioner.

“We're 100 percent committed to running for governor,” said  Mark Nevins, spokesman for Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty.

Knox's only previous bid for public office was his 2007 campaign for Philadelphia mayor. He lost to Michael Nutter, after sinking about $10 million of his own money into the campaign.