Onorato acts like governor hopeful

Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato says it's too early to speculate whether he'll run to succeed Gov. Ed Rendell in 2010.

Recent action by his political organization, however, has fueled that speculation.

Friends of Dan Onorato spent "less than $5,000" to throw a meet-and-greet Sunday with about 40 Democratic fundraisers, Rendell supporters and entrepreneurs at Citizens Bank Park, the home of the Philadelphia Phillies, Onorato spokeswoman Ashley Henry said. The group then e-mailed word of the event to about 3,200 supporters.

"It wasn't necessarily a campaign fundraiser," Henry said. "The governor's race is three years off. That's an eternity in politics. I think there's interest in exploring his options but, again, that's a really long time."

Onorato said he's held other events in Philadelphia, though he continues to avoid statements about his prospects for higher office.

"Part of my job, as county executive, is to build coalitions," Onorato said. "It doesn't hurt to have allies around the state."

A lack of announcements about Onorato's political future has not stopped some from singling out the former Pittsburgh city councilman and county controller in what could be a very fluid race.

"Dan Onorato is a splendid public official. I think he is a perfect person to carry on the Rendell legacy," said Philadelphia attorney Mark Alan Aronchick, a Rendell supporter who attended the Sunday event. "If he chooses to (run), I will be a very active and enthusiastic supporter."

"I think he could be the strongest candidate we have," said state Sen. Jim Ferlo, D-Highland Park. "I think he's still got growth and homework to do (but) the sooner he builds those friendships and relationships around the state, the better."

Onorato -- who coasted, unopposed on the Democratic and Republican tickets, to reelection this year -- already has money on hand for what could become his next campaign. Friends of Dan Onorato reported a cash balance of nearly $1.85 million Oct. 27, the most recent campaign finance reports show.

State Sen. Bob Mellow, D-Lackawanna County, said he hopes to have about $1 million on hand at the end of this year for a possible 2010 gubernatorial campaign.

"I know state government from every conceivable angle," said Mellow, who's served in the Senate since 1970. "I've been there. I've voted on the issues ... I would not need any learning curve."

Don Cunningham -- a former Rendell cabinet member and the first Democrat elected to serve as Lehigh County's executive -- started pursuing his party's nomination this summer.

"It's 30 months away, but it's important to start early and build support," he said.

Other potential candidates -- such as Auditor General Jack Wagner, a Beechview Democrat, and Attorney General Tom Corbett, a Republican from Shaler -- could not be reached for comment.

Former county Chief Executive Jim Roddey, whom Onorato knocked out of office in 2003, said his successor is not without weaknesses.

For one, Onorato is not a household name statewide, Roddey said. Onorato also could face political peril if the state Supreme Court throws out the base-year property assessment system that he supports. If the ruling forces counties to increase taxes to make up for changes in the assessment system, Onorato could face voter backlash in those counties, Roddey said.

"That's a potential Achilles' heel," he said.

Rendell spokesman Chuck Ardo says the governor thinks highly of Onorato but has not endorsed a successor.

"(Rendell) has had a good relationship with Dan throughout the administration and believes that Dan would make a fine candidate," Ardo said.

"I think (Onorato) is going to run," said Moe Coleman, director emeritus of the University of Pittsburgh's Institute of Politics. "And I think Rendell's going to support him."

Additional Information:

Potential 2010 candidates:

Democrats

• Allegheny County Chief Executive Dan Onorato

• Lehigh County Executive Donald Cunningham

• State Sen. Robert Mellow, D-Lackawanna

• Pennsylvania Auditor General Jack Wagner

Republicans

• State Attorney General Tom Corbett

• U.S. Attorney Pat Meehan of Philadelphia

• Former Lt. Gov. Bill Scranton

• Former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Lynn Swann

• Former U.S. Rep. Pat Toomey