Former U.S. Senator Pat Toomey has endorsed former PA House member Jeff Coleman in the state’s Lieutenant Governor race. The two have a history dating back to 2004, when Toomey narrowly beat then Republican Senator Arlen Specter in the GOP primary. Toomey is most notable for his vote to impeach President Donald Trump after the January 6 election protests.
“Jeff Coleman’s message is right for this moment,” Toomey said in a statement. “He’s arguing that civil debate rooted in conservative principles is the best way for Republicans to win elections and ultimately govern. He’s right. Jeff also knows that the lieutenant governor’s primary role is a limited one- maintaining decorum and delivering the policy agenda.”
Coleman thanked the former Senator in a statement of his own. “Eighteen primaries ago, I backed Sen. Pat Toomey over Arlen Specter. That initial loss built an infrastructure that still wins elections to this day. That model puts principles first, which is always the right choice,” Coleman said.
Coleman previously served as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 2001 through 2004. At 25, Coleman became the PA House’s youngest member when he defeated long-time incumbent Democrat Tim Pesci.
Coleman has built his Lt. Governor candidate on “civility” and reaching out across the aisle. “Jeff’s time in the House was shaped by his respectful approach and building friendships with colleagues in both political parties. He opposed Republican and Democratic state spending increases and tax hikes, helped lead the floor fight against gambling expansion, and supported civil rights protections for preborn citizens,” reads his campaign bio.
In addition to Toomey’s endorsement, Coleman has been endorsed by Brandon Flood, who most recently served as Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Pardons. After being appointed by Pennsylvania Lt. Governor John Fetterman, a Democrat, Flood launched his own bid for Lt. Governor under the GOP banner.
After dropping out of the race, Flood threw his “full-throated” support behind Coleman’s campaign in a statement. “I am lending my full-throated support to Jeff’s candidacy due to our shared vision of making a commitment to being a practitioner of functional government and working across the aisle to advance meaningful public policy that actually improves the quality of life,” Flood said in a statement. The former pardons secretary added that Jeff Coleman was the only candidate who will: “continue to build upon my recent efforts to bring about wholesale criminal justice/executive clemency reform.”
for all Pennsylvanians. In addition, he is the only candidate who I know will continue to build upon my recent efforts to bring about wholesale criminal justice/executive clemency reform." —Brandon Flood , Former PA Board of Pardons Secretary @PAGOP pic.twitter.com/HL77TbT41e
— Jeff Coleman (@ColemanforPA) January 17, 2022
Coleman’s opponents include former Back to School PA leader Clarice Schillinger and America First candidate Teddy Daniels.
