RIDGWAY – Not even a torrential downpour could dampen the
spirits of Republican Party members who gathered to meet former
Pittsburgh Steelers great and Pennsylvania Republican gubernatorial
candidate Lynn Swann when he made a campaign stop in Ridgway on
Saturday.

Approximately 40 supporters gathered to hear Swann’s thoughts
and have a chance to meet their candidate.

“We have an opportunity to make a little history in
Pennsylvania,” Swann said. “Not to follow history along the same
old path where history says the incumbent governor has never lost.
We need a change in Pennsylvania. We need reform. We do not need
the short term solutions Ed Rendell has offered, but real,
long-term answers so that Pennsylvania has an opportunity to
grow.”

Swann said that Pennsylvania is the fifth largest state in the
nation, but always ranks in the bottom 10 in job creation. He wants
to change that. In order to promote job growth, Swann feels that a
historic tax relief package would lower taxes on job creators and
every Pennsylvanian who pays taxes. This would be accomplished by
lowering the corporate net income tax, rolling back the Rendell tax
increase on personal income and eliminating the death tax.

Swann feels that he is a better candidate for governor because
he has no experience in government and therefore doesn’t owe any
special interest groups. He compared that to California Governor
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Presidents Ronald Reagan and George
Washington.

Property tax reform is an important part of his platform.

“My property tax reform plan is real reform. My plan would cap
property tax,” Swann explained. He felt the Rendell plan is only a
“Band Aid” and doesn’t help.

“You have to believe and understand and know that in November,
we are going to send this message,” Swann added. “History says
otherwise, but we can change history. To make sure we do what’s
right by the Commonwealth. When I am elected governor of
Pennsylvania, it won’t be about me but about me serving you.”