Beth Hafer, Barbara's daughter, will run against Representative Tim Murphy (PA-18)

[Penndems]

From the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette:

Another Hafer planning to enter politics
Ex-treasurer's daughter to run for Congress

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

By James O'Toole, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette


Beth Hafer hopes to follow her well-known mother, Barbara Hafer, onto the region's ballots.

Ms. Hafer, 35, a former school teacher who now works as a vice president in a government consulting firm owned by her mother, said she plans to run for Congress next year against U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Upper St. Clair.

She talked about her ambitions for the seat yesterday, just after listening to Mr. Murphy at a news conference on federal base closing issues in Oakdale. The younger Ms. Hafer was standing with her mother, the former Allegheny County commissioner, state treasurer and state auditor general.

The elder Ms. Hafer considered running for Mr. Murphy's 18th District seat herself in the 2006 election cycle. Despite the ardent courting of national and local Democratic leaders, the veteran politician decided against entering the race.

Story link:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07156/791528-176.stm

[I Have A Dream]

1. It's about time that there was a serious candidate to run against him!

This is great news! :)

[Robson]

3. But why does it have to be FAMILY?

I've had enough of the political families to last me two lifetimes. Name recognition does not mean competence.

[PhishWithLemon99]

4. because...

why do kids go into practice with their dads as doctors or lawyers? Theyve been around the business their whole life. Like it or not, politics by nature is all about personal relationships and fundraising potential. Outsiders don't get elected and aren't successful if they do get elected. If you object to someone based on their family ties alone, you have no business being in politics.

[Robson]

5. Coal miners kids become coal miners too.

I agree that kids often follow in their parents footsteps but it is usually because of their lot in life. Coal miners kids often became coal miners because their family had no connections. Doctors kids become doctors because their family has the connections to get them into medical school, same with lawyers. They also have the money too.

Sorry we'll have to agree to disagree on this.

Family connections in politics leads to nepotism and favoritism and is bad for the country at large. It sets the stage, and rightfully so, for many would be politicians that they have no chance because they don't have the connections. The door is closed to them because there's always another family member with "that name" and connections ready to step forward. I see it getting worse not better. Political careers (as either elected officials or staffers) has become a road to wealth.

[PhishWithLemon99]

6. barbara hafer...

is a Republican-turned-Democrat who hasn't been in office for 3 years and who pissed off most of her former backers when she switched parties. I like Hafer, but I don't see the high risk of nepotism when the daughter of a former state treasurer is running for Congress, aside from the necessary fundraising ties.

It doesn't take family connections to close doors for people in politics. Connections are everything, regardless of who your parents are. If you don't have them, you aren't going to succeed in politics. It's always been that way and it always will be...it's the nature of the game.

Of course, family ties often don't mean anything. John Street's son, Sharif, lost a bid for State House and for City Council in Philadelphia. Joe Paterno's son got his ass kicked running for Congress against Tim Holden in Central Pennsylvania. Kathleen Kennedy Townsend was the first Dem to lose a Governor's race in MD in 36 years. State Rep. Gibson Armstrong, son of State Sen. Gibson Armstrong of the Approriations Committee, lost his re-election last year...and father/son are both from the same area. I could go on and on...

[Robson]

7. How about the king and son of pork - Shuster Inc

Remember the Congressman from PA that had it all, a wife, a lobbyist mistress, wealth, Congressional power, and he gave it all away and bequeathed his seat to his son, who now gets to walk in his shoes in the halls of Congress.

60 Minutes did a special on him once. I'd support state laws and con. amendments that politics is a once in a family thing, until 3 generations pass. No wife, children of, or husband can ever serve in Congress if the spouse served.

We already have a plutocracy, we don't need an aristocracy. I'm surprised our forefathers didn't have the foresight to see the potential for abuse when they wrote the Constitution.

[PhishWithLemon99]

8. oh please...

Banning family members from serving is a ridiculous idea. This is America..anyone can run for office as long as they meet age and residency requirements.

Like it or not, pork is what drives votes, and it's not necessarily a bad thing. Ask any facility or organization in your district how they would feel if they didn't get any more federal funding. Isn't that one big reason why we elect these guys in the first place? To bring home federal dollars for the projects we think are important?

Don't like someone? Vote them out. Don't change the rules to the detriment of everyone...it's called Over-reforming. The PA House's reform measures are a prime example...they've changed their rules to the point where barely anything gets done anymore. There's a lot of good people who wouldn't be able to serve based purely on who their family is if your idea was implemented. Thank god it won't be.

[Heath Hatcher]

9. Well it's offical

She offically announced her candidacy July 17 and now has a website

www.haferforcongress.com

Thank God.

[MrMickeysMom]

10. Thanks. I got more info here than when calling Allegheny County Dem

Committee.

I finally read Hafer's name in the Post Gazette after calling 3 different times to reach the Exec Director. We're not really members in these organizations so much as we are activisits. I've walked the neighborhoods for Presidential Candidates locally since 2000.

I'm so motivated to help Mr. Murphy (sorry, Dr. Murphy, the child psychologist) to the door, not caring if it hits him in the ass on the way out. In fact, I've been houning them to set up a REAL town hall meeting, as I have some pressing questions and my video camera. They are not interested beyond the franking, happy newsletters and phony town hall meetings using a phone with automated mystery dialer).

I'll check out the Hafer for Congress link and thank you.

[Freddie Stubbs]

11. That would not apply to Hafer, as her mother has never served in Congress

[blue neen]

2. Very good news.

I feel Tim Murphy's seat is going to be up for grabs. It sounds like she will be an excellent candidate.

[bleedingheart]

12. folks should donate to her campaign in order to help her get money

to run against Murphy...

without grassroots support...she is basically not going to get any money out of the DCCC warchest...