Chester County official mulls lieutenant governor run

Republican Chester County Commissioner Carol Aichele has announced she plans to run for Pennsylvania lieutenant governor in 2010.

"I've spoken with people statewide, grassroots folks, and the response has been really very positive," Aichele told reporter Michael P. Rellahan. "People said they found that I'd be a very positive balance to the ticket."

Aichele, who is serving in her second term as a county commissioner, formed the Friends of Carole Aichele, certifying the finance committee with the state Board of Elections as required by law, according to Rellahan.

She will make a formal announcement later this month and hold a fundraiser June 23, hosted by retired state Supreme Court Judge Sandra Schulze Newman.

From Rellahan's story:

Aichele declined to discuss specifics of her run for the post, but she said she believed her experience as a county executive — especially one with a proven financial track record as Chester County — was a positive for voters.

"The kind of experience that I have is something that will bring a positive dimension to a new Republican leadership," she said. "That is what is needed to fix what is broken in our state."

While it's always nice to see a woman seek higher office, there is a glaring problem with Aichele. She isn't exactly a top draw among voters in her own backyard.

Aichele was a favorite to win the vacated 19th state Senate seat in Chester County in 2006, but lost to Democratic county commissioner Andy Dinniman in what remains one of the few SE Pennsylvania counties where Republicans have a voter registration edge.

Political insiders criticized Aichele for a lackluster campaign.

Not exactly the kind of runningmate Tom Corbett is looking for as he prepares to seek the Republican nomination for governor in 2010, although a Corbett-Aichele ticket would have geographic balance.

An Aichele candidacy also poses a problem for Congressman Jim Gerlach, who is also interested in running for governor. Since Gerlach and Aichele both live in Chester County, there's no balance in a potential ticket.

Read the full story about Aichele's potential bid for statewide office in The Pottstown Mercury Web site.