Hall of Famer Runs for Office
Associated Press
Thursday, January 5, 2006; Page A07
PITTSBURGH, Jan. 4 -- Former Steelers star Lynn Swann declared his candidacy for Pennsylvania governor Wednesday in the city where he made his name in professional football.
He said that he made up his mind to run in the fall, after spending months weighing support at events around the state.
  Lynn Swann seeks GOP nod in Pennsylvania. (Andrew Rush - AP) |
Swann, a Hall of Fame receiver and longtime TV football commentator, faces three other candidates in seeking the Republican nomination for governor -- his first run for political office. The winner of the May 16 primary will probably face Gov. Edward G. Rendell (D), who is expected to seek a second four-year term.
If successful in his first bid for political office, Swann would become Pennsylvania's first black governor.
Swann, 53, planned to kick off his campaign with a Wednesday night rally in Pittsburgh, followed by appearances in five other cities Thursday and Friday.
The Steelers won four Super Bowls during Swann's nine-year pro career with the team.
Swann has so far revealed little about his political philosophy but has advocated reducing certain business taxes and said he opposes abortion rights.
In independent polling, former lieutenant governor William Scranton III and Swann are running ahead of the other two GOP candidates, but behind Rendell.
