Former Steeler and NFL Hall of Famer running for Governor of Pennsylvania Update.

Swann close to securing Republican committee endorsement

Pittsburgh's other newspaper reports on Bill Scranton's backfiring strategy.

The committee endorsement was designed to prevent bloody primary fights that would "weaken" (read drain the bank accounts) of the R candidates. To be honest, that's what PA needs. We need to get to know Mr. Swann better before November. So, stick to your guns, Mr. Scranton, and open up your checkbook.

Lynn Swann appeared to secure the Republican Party endorsement for governor last night as he defeated former Lt. Gov. Bill Scranton in a vote of state committee members from the southwest corner of the state.

Going into last night's vote, which he won, 33-23, Mr. Swann had already secured the support of at least 169 of the 180 state committee members needed to win the endorsement.

The full state committee will vote on the endorsement next month in Harrisburg.

Last night's tally vote came after a contentious closed meeting in which organizers turned aside Scranton supporters' requests that they vote on whether to support an open primary, in which the party would stay neutral, rather than make a choice between Mr. Swann and Mr. Scranton.

James Panyard, a former president of the Pennsylvania Manufacturers' Association, also is seeking the GOP nomination, but he has not sought the support of the state committee.

Mr. Scranton had originally predicted that he would win the state committee's endorsement, but after trailing Mr. Swann in several earlier caucus votes, announced last month that he would ask for an open primary to determine the party's nominee against Gov. Ed Rendell.