Brad Bumsted
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
Democrat Barbara Hafer, the former state auditor general, on Saturday endorsed Rep. John Maher, the Republican candidate for auditor general in Tuesday’s election.
A Trib poll this week showed Maher, of Upper St. Clair, in a dead heat with Democratic Rep. Eugene DePasquale, of York.
Endorsements are routine this time of year but Hafer’s is unusual because she’s the former fiscal watchdog and she says she is supporting the rest of the Democratic ticket.
“John Maher will be a great auditor general,” said Hafer, of Indiana, Pa., formerly of Elizabeth Borough, who was elected to statewide office as a Republican.
Hafer became a Democratic after supporting former Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell. She was the GOP nominee for governor in 1990 but lost to the late Democratic Gov. Robert P. Casey, the incumbent.
Hafer said she and Maher shared important character traits. “Like me, he is independent-minded and tough enough to back it up.
“I served as Auditor General. I know the job. And I know John Maher.”
Auditor General Jack Wagner, a Democrat from Beechview, has endorsed DePasquale.