GOP gubernatorial candidates to square off in first debate

A crowded field of GOP candidates for Pennsylvania governor is set to square off Wednesday in the first debate of the 2022 election season.

During the 90-minute debate, which will be broadcast live and live-streamed on PCN, 12 candidates will tackle questions on economic competitiveness, the workforce and jobs, energy, infrastructure, education and governing.

Candidates scheduled to participate are: Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman, former Delaware County council member Dave White, GOP strategist and Quantum Communications CEO Charlie Gerow, state Sen. Scott Martin of Lancaster County, William McSwain, a former U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Galem, businessman Shawn Berger, Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry CEO Guy Ciarrocchi, restaurateur Jason Monn, lawyer Jason Richey, retired UPS executive John Ventre and Nche Zama, a cardiothoracic surgeon.

Former U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta also is running in the GOP primary, but declined the invitation. State Sen. Doug Mastriano of Franklin County, who is scheduled to make a gubernatorial campaign announcement on January 8, was invited but had not accepted as of Monday, said event spokesman, Christopher Nicholas.

The moderator is former GOP state Rep. Becky Corbin, a board member of Keystone Free Enterprise Fund, one of the event’s sponsors. Co-moderators from two other debate sponsors, the PA Chamber of Business and Industry and Broad and Liberty.com, a news site, will join her.

The fourth sponsor is ProtectPA.com, a Republican super PAC.

The debate, which is being held at Dickinson College in Carlisle, is not open to the public. It will be televised live on PCN beginning at 7 p.m. and will be live-streamed at no charge at www.pcntv.com.