I've always liked Tom McGarrigle.
I refer to him as the 'everyman' of Delco politics. This is a down-to-earth guy who knows what it's like for the common working man and woman. Running a gas station and auto repair shop will do that for you.
McGarrigle is the chairman of County Council. Now he's got his eyes on a bigger prize. And now he's got the Delco Republican Party behind him. You can read all the details here.
The GOP is backing McGarrigle as their candidate in what looks to be one of the most hotly contested legislative races in the state next fall. He will seek the 26th District state Senate seat being vacated by Republican Sen. Ted Erickson.
McGarrigle was the choice over at least three other GOP hopefuls, state Reps. Nick Miccarelli, R-162, and Joe Hackett, R-161, as well as county executive director Marianne Grace.
If you're wondering what swung the GOP to McGarrigle (and we know you all are), here's one theory. You could make the case for Grace, especially since that is the same path Erickson took before heading to Harrisburg. He served as county executive director. As a practical matter, she's probably the most important person in county government.
But when it comes to Miccarelli and Hackett, things get more interesting - and a lot more political.
At the top of the November ballot will be a race for governor of Pennsylvania. That's where embattled Republican Gov. Tom Corbett will be desperately clinging to the governor's mansion. Corbett has had a rough first four years and polling indicates he very likely could be the most endangered incumbent governor in the nation.
Many of his policies, in particular when it comes to his budgets and education funding, have proved immensely unpopular.
If Miccarelli or Hackett were the GOP's pick, they would be tarred and feathered for their backing of the governor's spending plans. The Democratic ads would almost write themselves. In effect, they wouldn't be running against the likely Democrat, union leader John Kane. Instead, they would have to run against both Kane and the shadow of Tom Corbett.
McGarrigle doesn't have that problem. He can't really be linked to Tom Not-So-Terrific. And that very well may be why he was the GOP's choice.
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