Barbara Hafer | |
|---|---|
| 73rd Treasurer of Pennsylvania | |
| In office January 21, 1997 – January 18, 2005 | |
| Governor | Tom Ridge Mark Schweiker Ed Rendell |
| Preceded by | Catherine Knoll |
| Succeeded by | Bob Casey Jr. |
| 48th Auditor General of Pennsylvania | |
| In office January 17, 1989 – January 21, 1997 | |
| Governor | Robert Casey Tom Ridge |
| Preceded by | Donald Bailey |
| Succeeded by | Bob Casey Jr. |
| Member of the Allegheny County Board of Commissioners | |
| In office January 2, 1984 – January 17, 1989 | |
| Preceded by | William Hunt |
| Succeeded by | Larry Dunn |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 1, 1943 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican (before 2003) Democratic (2003–present) |
| Spouse | John Pidgeon (deceased) |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | Duquesne University (BA) |
Barbara Hafer (born August 1, 1943) is an American politician and convicted felon from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. She served as a member of the Allegheny County Board of Commissioners from 1984 to 1989,[1] as the Auditor General of Pennsylvania from 1989 to 1997[2][3] and as the Treasurer of Pennsylvania from 1997 to 2005.[4][5]
In 1990, Barbara Hafer won the Republican nomination for governor challenging incumbent Democratic governor Robert P. Casey Sr. in the general election. On many issues Auditor Hafer ran to the left of the moderate Governor Casey. Bob Casey supported government bans on abortion, with Hafer being pro-abortion rights. Governor Casey maintained a strong lead in the polls and enjoyed high approval ratings. Hafer campaigned hard, but hurt herself when during the campaign she called the governor a "redneck Irishman." Her campaign was widely criticized for the remark helping Governor Casey seal his lead in both rural areas of the state which are normally Republican, as well as cement strong support from more traditional Democratic districts. Auditor Hafer was defeated by thirty-six percentage points.
Hafer explored a second run for the Republican nomination for Governor of Pennsylvania in the 2002 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election, but withdrew after the Republican Party favored Attorney General Mike Fisher. She went on to personally endorse Democratic nominee Ed Rendell in the gubernatorial general election of 2002 and joined the Democratic Party in 2003. After leaving office in 2005, Hafer considered running for several offices. Aside from a brief February 2010 candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district seat left vacant by the death of Rep. John Murtha, she never did.
- ^ "New Allegheny commissioners promise new era of cooperation". The Gettysburg Times. January 3, 1984. Retrieved December 29, 2011.
- ^ "Casey welcomes Knoll, Hafer, Preate to Office". The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. January 18, 1989. Retrieved November 21, 2011.
- ^ Cattabiani, Mario (January 24, 1997). "It's Robert, Not Bobby, If You Please". The Morning Call. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
- ^ "New State Officials Take Their Oath". The Philadelphia Inquirer. January 22, 1997. Retrieved November 21, 2011.
- ^ "Special Sessions Usually Aren't". The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. January 2, 2005. Retrieved November 20, 2005.
© MMXXIII Rich X Search. We shall prevail. All rights reserved. Rich X Search