Jay Paterno has announced his intent to withdraw from the race for Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor.
An excerpt from his statement cited Paterno’s reticence on getting involved in a long legal battle over an upcoming ballot challenge that calls into question his nominating petitions.
The challenge was initiated by lieutenant governor candidate and Harrisburg city councilman Brad Koplinski.
However we spoke to a communications spokesperson with the Pennsylvania Department of State and have learned that the deadline to voluntarily withdraw from the race was last Wednesday at 5 p.m.
We’re told that Paterno will need to petition for a court order to remove him from the ballot, or make a motion to withdraw at next Monday’s hearing.
Paterno’s official statement can be found below.
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State College, PA – Today, Jay Paterno released the following statement regarding his campaign for Lt. Governor of Pennsylvania:
This afternoon I am announcing my intent to withdraw from the Lt. Governor’s race. Over the past twenty-four hours in talking with attorneys it has become clear that the ballot challenge could be a long process with potential decisions and appeals carrying beyond Monday’s hearing.
With less than two months remaining before the primary I do not want an ongoing legal back and forth to be a distraction in this race. The outcome of this election is too important for the future of the working families and all the people of this Commonwealth.
While I have always believed that you fight for what is right, there are times in life when personal ambitions should give way for the good of the whole. To that end I am stepping away. It is my hope that a focus on a thorough airing of the issues allows the best Democratic candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor to lead us into November.
I thank everyone who has supported our campaign. I know we entered this race late and I alone bear responsibility for that and for any shortcomings in our efforts.
As I have stated at every campaign stop I would be honored to be the nominee, but if I fell short of that goal, I would work hard to help the Governor and Lt. Governor nominees win the election in November. That has not changed. I will continue to advocate for the issues of Education, Employment and Equality that we all feel passionately about in any way I can contribute.