While he has enjoyed serving in the state Senate and has accomplished more than most legislators in the past nine years, state Sen. John C. Rafferty Jr. said his dream job has always been Pennsylvania attorney general.And when the last elected attorney general, Tom Corbett, stepped down in January to assume the office of governor, Rafferty couldn’t pass up the opportunity to seek the state’s top law enforcement office.
Rafferty, who represents parts of Montgomery, Chester and Berks counties in the state Senate, became the first Republican to announce his candidacy for Pennsylvania attorney general on Wednesday.
"I've been called 'the law enforcement guy' in the Senate if not in the whole General Assembly," Rafferty said in a telephone interview. "It's a logical step. I look at public service as a noble profession. I plan to run on my qualifications."
Rafferty said his background in private business, as a local government official, his work in the Philadelphia district attorney's office, three years as a deputy state attorney general and nine years in the Legislature put him ahead of all the other candidates.
"The key element to government is protection of public safety," Rafferty told The Associated Press in announcing his candidacy at the Harrisburg headquarters of the Pennsylvania State Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police.
Touting his record as a law-and-order legislator, Rafferty has already picked up endorsements from the Fraternal Order of Police, Pennsylvania State Lodge, and the Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association.
He anticipates receiving the endorsement of the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association.
As attorney general, Rafferty said he would vigorously fight crime and use the grand jury system to prosecute cases involving sexual abuse of children, political corruption and Medicaid fraud.
Rafferty, 58, of Collegeville, said he intends to remain in the Legislature during the campaign for attorney general.
He is currently chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee and formerly was chairman of the Law & Justice Committee, on which he continues to serve.
"I've enjoyed representing the 44th Senate District tremendously and have received a lot of support and encouragement from constituents to seek the office of attorney general," Rafferty said.
Rafferty has traveled across Pennsylvania since the beginning of the year seeking backing from Republican State Committee members.
He believes he can continue to be an effective legislator while spending time on the campaign trail.
"I'm not turning my back on my Senate work," Rafferty said.
Rafferty earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, his master's degree from Beaver College, and his law degree from Temple University.
Before his election to the state Senate in 2002, he spent three years as a deputy attorney general and served on the Montgomery County Board of Assessment Appeals, the Methacton School District board and the Lower Providence Board of Supervisors. He also spent nearly a decade as general manager of a recreation center.
Although he is clearly the front-runner, Rafferty may face competition for the GOP nomination in the April 24 primary.
If Rafferty can win the Republican nomination, he would be a heavy favorite to become the state's next attorney general. Republicans have won every contest for attorney general since it became an elective office in 1980.
Rafferty said the recent legislative redistricting process played no part in his decision to run for attorney general.
The borders of the 44th Senate District will change under the current plan under review, dropping Pottstown but adding Phoenixville and expanding into parts of Chester County and eastern Montgomery County.
If Rafferty wins the attorney general's office next November, a special election would be held to complete the remainder of his Senate term, which runs to the end of 2014.
The current attorney general is Linda Kelly, who was nominated by Corbett and confirmed by the state Senate to complete the remainder of Corbett's term, which runs to the end of 2012. Kelly agreed not to seek a full four-year term when she was confirmed.
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