How Scott Wagner went from outsider to Republican nominee to challenge Gov. Tom Wolf

Ed Mahon
York Daily Record
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State Sen. Scott Wagner during speech after winning the Republican nomination for Pennsylvania governor.

Four years ago, state Republican Party leaders tried to keep Scott Wagner from winning a state Senate seat. They failed.

On Tuesday, May 15, the York County businessman and state senator won the GOP nomination for governor. This time, he was the endorsed candidate of the party.

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"He worked the inside game very aggressively," said Charlie Gerow, a Republican political strategist. "From the minute he got to Harrisburg, it was very clear he was running for governor."

Here's how he went from an outsider in 2014 to the party's nominee for governor in 2018.

1. Wagner ran as an outsider in 2014.

He challenged the establishment, emphasized his business background and withstood tough attacks to win a write-in campaign for a state Senate seat.

2. Wagner supported other Republicans statewide.

Wagner had plenty of criticism for then-Republican Gov. Tom Corbett, who was elected in 2010. Wagner called him "a weak CEO" at one point. But Wagner became a prominent supporter of Corbett's re-election bid in 2014.

"I am asking the voters of York County and the rest of Pennsylvania to trust me and vote for Governor Corbett," Wagner said in a mass email during that campaign.

Corbett didn't win. But, two years later, Wagner became a prominent supporter of another Republican on Pennsylvania ballots: Donald Trump. 

Trump, of course, did win Pennsylvania and the presidency.

3. He helped elect Republicans across the state.

He gave money to campaigns and helped Republicans win senate Seats in southwestern Pennsylvania, Erie and other parts of Pennsylvania.

A YDR analysis of Department of State records found that Wagner personally gave more than $3.2 million in direct contributions or loans to elect state lawmakers, judges and other candidates in Pennsylvania from 2007 through much of 2016. The analysis was based on individual contributions of $1,000 or more.

More:Is Scott Wagner using his wallet to shape the Legislature?

4. He changed the state Senate

He led efforts to oust the former majority leader, and in 2016, he told a York crowd that "we're purging Senate members out."

He also gained support from fellow senators.

In December, seven central Pennsylvania senators, including Majority Leader Jake Corman, endorsed him for governor. Two state senators from Delaware County in the Philadelphia suburbs also endorsed him

5. No other elected Republicans ran against him for governor.

House Speaker Mike Turzai dropped out of the race, just before the state GOP made its endorsement in the governor's race. That left Wagner with two opponents from Allegheny County: former healthcare systems consultant Paul Mango and attorney Laura Ellsworth.

6. Wagner got the endorsement of the state GOP.

That happened in February. According to The Associated Press, "No GOP-endorsed candidate has lost Pennsylvania’s gubernatorial primary in 40 years."

In part, that's a reflection of the work and travel Wagner put in to make connections with committee members across the state.

7. He withstood tough attacks.

Political analysts G. Terry Madonna and Michael L. Young wrote that "the leading GOP gubernatorial candidates have now unleashed a bloody primary battle. ..."

Mango's campaign called Wagner a slumlord, a sleazy bail bondsman, a deadbeat dad and a failed politician. Plus, Mango's campaign has said Wagner is toxic, greedy and violent.

Wagner's campaign, meanwhile, called Mango an Obamacare advocate, outsourcer, Wolf contractor, a phony and a liberal. In one TV ad, Wagner's oldest daughter called Mango a disgrace. 

The Pennsylvania Republican Party defended Wagner. Party Chairman Val DiGiorgio called for Mango to pull the ad that called Wagner violent and a deadbeat dad. Mango stood by the ad, however.

In another case, Mango's campaign released an ad saying Wagner wasn't doing enough to stop abortions. DiGiorgio replied, "Scott Wagner has been a leader in the fight to protect the unborn in Pennsylvania." 

8. He gave millions to his own campaign

In January, The Associated Press reported that Wagner had given himself more than $7.5 million in loans and other contributions. The contributions continued.

Mango also gave millions to his campaign. But Ellsworth didn't have as much money and didn't go on the air with TV ads until relatively late in the primary campaign.

9. He embraced the garbageman role. 

Wagner leads Penn Waste Inc., a waste hauling company. TV ads showed him standing in front of garbage and talking about how he would "junk the property tax, cut wasteful spending and put big government in the dumpster."

And another ad featured Penn Waste employees standing behind Wagner.

"I'm blunt, outspoken and determined. I'm a garbageman. You won't always agree with me, but know this: I'm on a mission to protect your paycheck, cut your taxes, and I will always put you first," he said in one ad.

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