Former Steeler Lynn Swann Raising Money for Potential Pa. Gubernatorial Bid As Republican
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Former Pittsburgh Steelers star Lynn
Swann has formed a campaign committee to raise money for a potential
run for governor in 2006. Swann named his committee Team 88, the number
he wore as a wide receiver for the Steelers from 1974 to 1982, when the
team won four Super Bowls. "I'm considering a run for governor of
Pennsylvania," Swann told a cheering Republican audience Thursday night
in Westmoreland County, near Pittsburgh. "It was one of the reasons I
accepted the invitation to come out and speak to you this evening, not
so much for you to listen to me but for me to hear you." On Wednesday,
Swann filed papers to form a campaign committee for governor, which
allows him to begin raising money for a campaign. "I will spend time
introducing myself to communities across the commonwealth," the NFL
Hall of Famer said in a statement. "We will also explore the potential
political and financial support for my candidacy." Swann, who turns 53
next month, faces at least two prospective opponents in the GOP
primary. The winner will take on incumbent Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell
in November. A Quinnipiac University poll of voters conducted earlier
this month showed Rendell winning a hypothetical matchup against Swann,
50 to 34 percent. [more]