State Sen. Kim Ward endorses Dave White in GOP primary for Pa. governor

State Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward is endorsing Republican candidate Dave White for governor a week before the May 17 primary election.

In a Facebook post, the Hempfield Republican suggested that White could sway Pennsylvania swing voters and ultimately defeat his Democratic opponent in the general election.

“The goal isn’t to win the primary,” Ward wrote. “Winning the primary and losing the general (election), because the candidate is unable to get the voters in the middle, isn’t a win. We need a candidate who can win in November. I will be supporting whoever wins the primary for sure, but the best candidate to win the general is Dave White.”

White is one of nine candidates vying for the Republican nomination for governor. Another is state Sen. Jake Corman, who serves as president pro tempore.

The hotly contested race is led by candidate Doug Mastriano, who between May 6-8 was the candidate for nearly 28% of GOP voters, according to a Trafalgar Poll. Lou Barletta followed with almost 18%. White came in third with about 15%.

Like other GOP candidates, White is pro-life, supports gun rights and emphasizes Pennsylvania’s energy sector with a goal of reducing regulation.

“He and his wife Debbie still live in the same house they did when he was carrying a lunch box to work everyday,” Ward said. “Those are all qualities that would make a great leader for Pennsylvania.”

Ward noted that she had been split between White and Barletta. She said she endorsed White because of his ability to attract “voters who aren’t traditional Republican supporters thanks in large part to President Trump. Dave White is working harder than any of the candidates on the ballot.“