HARRISBURG – Republican Party of Pennsylvania Chairman Rob Gleason released the following statement regarding news that Governor Ed Rendell has “loaned” $275,000 to Dan Onorato’s gubernatorial campaign.

“In addition to receiving thousands and thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from Ed Rendell and his close political associates, Dan Onorato is now literally indebted to our Governor for more than a quarter of a million dollars.  How much closer can Dan Onorato get to Ed Rendell without asking him to officially hop on the campaign? Ed Rendell for Lieutenant Governor?

“Ed Rendell’s $275,000 ‘loan’ is also a sign of how truly desperate Dan Onorato has become in these final days. After months of trying to deflect attention away from his close ties with Ed Rendell and his policies, Onorato’s decision to accept a six-figure loan from Rendell serves as proof that’s his campaign’s grown too desperate to hide his close ties with our current Governor.

“Pennsylvanians can’t afford the policies of Ed Rendell and Dan Onorato just like Dan Onorato can’t afford to run a gubernatorial campaign without the funding of our current Governor. It’s time for a fresh start in Harrisburg  and Pennsylvania – it’s time for Tom Corbett!”

The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review is reporting that Governor Ed Rendell has provided the Dan Onorato’s gubernatorial campaign with a $275,000 “loan.” (Brad Bumsted, “Gov. Rendell Gives Onorato Campaign $275,000,” Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, 10/28/10,http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/state/s_706524.html)

Capitolwire.com has reported that Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dan Onorato has received more than $6,100 from close political associates of Ed Rendell.

Onorato also reported receiving contributions on Sept. 29 from a dozen or so members of the Rendell administration, totaling at least $6,100. Those donating to Onorato include: Colleen Kopp, his secretary for legislative affairs; Donna Cooper, Rendell’s policy secretary; Budget Secretary Mary Soderberg, Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding, acting Insurance Commissioner Robert L. Pratter, and press secretary Gary Tuma.  (Under The Dome, Capitolwire, 10/26/10)

In addition to receiving money from Governor Ed Rendell’s Political Action Committee, Dan Onorato also received $20,000 in May from former Rendell Chief of Staff and embattled Chairman of the Delaware River Port Authority John Estey. In August, Onorato refused to state whether or not he would remove the embattled Estey from his position, despite numerous allegations of corruption at DRPA. (Tom Infield, “Onorato Sidesteps Question On DRPA’s Chairman’s Future,” The Philadelphia Inquirer, 8/5/10)

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