Update: After filing paperwork to withdraw his candidacy earlier in the day, state Sen. Jake Corman reversed course and said he is staying in the race for Pennsylvania governor.
Corman filed for a discontinuance of his petition to withdraw and will remain in the nine-candidate field for the Republican nomination.
See the full story here.
Original story
State Sen. Jake Corman, R-Bellefonte, is expected to drop out of the Pennsylvania governor’s race on Tuesday.
Corman, who as president pro tempore is the Senate’s highest ranking Republican, filed a petition with the Commonwealth Court on Tuesday afternoon to withdraw his candidacy from the May 17 primary.
Multiple outlets — including the Philadelphia Inquirer, PennLive and ABC 27 in Harrisburg — reported earlier on Tuesday that the Centre County native was expected to withdraw from the race, citing sources familiar with his campaign.
Corman announced his candidacy in November, emphasizing his legislative experience and ability to break through gridlock.
He was fifth among a nine-candidate field in a primary poll released last week, receiving 4%. Former Congressman and Hazleton mayor Lou Barletta led the pack at 19.8%, with state Sen. Doug Mastriano close behind at 19.4%. Businessman Dave White (11.6%) and former U.S. Attorney Bill McSwain (7.9%) also polled ahead of Corman. Melissa Hart, Charles Gerow, Joseph Gale and Nche Zama also remain in the race.
McSwain made news on Tuesday when former President Donald Trump issued a critical statement saying he would not endorse his Justice Department appointee.
Corman previously announced he would not simultaneously seek reelection to the Senate, meaning that, for now at least, his career in public office will come to an end at the close of the year.
He has served in the state Senate since 1999, after he won election to the seat previously held by his father, J. Doyle Corman, for 21 years.
He rose to Senate majority leader, the No. 2 post in the chamber, in 2015 and was elected by GOP members to the top-ranking position of president pro tempore in 2021.
