Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley talking at the ground breaking for one of Bristol Township’s new elementary schools in 2014.
Credit: Tom Sofield/NewtownPANow.com
Rumors have been circulating in Bucks County politics for the last several weeks that Greater Philadelphia United Way CEO Jim Cawley, 47, may be contemplating a run for governor in 2018 against incumbent Gov. Tom Wolf.
While Cawley, a Republican, has not answered NewtownPANow.com‘s request for comment, at least two GOP sources have confirmed that Cawley, a Levittown native and current Wrightstown resident, is considering a run.
“I think he’d be a strong choice to run against Wolf and lead the state,” noted one Bucks County Republican who knows Cawley. The source would not however comment on whether Cawley had decided to run for the office.
Cawley, a former Bucks County commissioner, is said to be well-liked and with decent name recognition through his work with the United Way and as former Gov. Tom Corbett’s second in command. Cawley has also served on the board of directors for Lower Bucks Hospital and as a trustee of Bucks County Community College. Currently, Cawley serves on the Board of Directors for the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia and Manor College, as well as a Commonwealth Trustee of Temple University Board of Trustees.
Some of have questioned whether Cawley, is up for the no-guarantees trade-off of a statewide campaign over his current nonprofit career.
As noted in an article by PennLive.com, state Sen. Scott Wagner, a freshman state senator from York County and Congressman Mike Kelly from Butler County have already confirmed they will be running. Cawley, Senator Jake Corman from Centre County, Congressman Tom Marino from Lycoming County, U.S. Rep Patrick Meehan from Delaware County, Pennsylvania House Speaker Mike Turzai of Pittsburgh, and President and CEO of the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce Rob Wonderling of Montgomery County are all have said to be considering a campaign.
