Republican state Senate candidate Steve McDonald has scored an endorsement of statewide proportions in the form of former congressman Pat Toomey.
Toomey, who now heads the national Club for Growth, became a sort of patron saint for Pennsylvania conservatives by nearly knocking off U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter in the 2004 Republican primary.
"Steve has a clear record of saving taxpayers money," Toomey said in a statement, pointing to McDonald's performance as county recorder of deeds over the last 10 years.
McDonald spokesman Seth Wimer said Toomey's support isn't just an endorsement; Toomey will be campaigning with McDonald in the 13th Senate district.
And, Wimer said, "This endorsement is the first, not the last, of people who are significant in the conservative movement."
McDonald has positioned himself as the "real conservative" and "real reform" candidate in the 13th, where he's seeking to replace Sen. Gib E. Armstrong, who announced last Sunday that he will retire at the end of 2008.
Former county commissioner Paul Thibault entered the campaign Saturday.
Toomey said McDonald has cut the size and cost of the recorder's office by more than 50 percent and saved taxpayers $1.5 million through technology initiatives: "That is a record for conseratives to rally around, and it is exactly the kind of fiscal leadership that is so desperately needed in Harrisburg right now."
"Pat Toomey is one of the most respected voices for conservative values in America, and I'm honored to have his support," McDonald said in a statement.
Wimer said McDonald's campaign got the news early last week that Toomey, who represented the Lehigh Valley in the U.S. House, was committing to an endorsement.
Toomey beat Specter in the 13th District municipalities in 2004, Wimer pointed out. Since then, Toomey has been president of the Club for Growth, which promotes lower taxes, limited government, free trade and school choice, among other fiscal-conservative policies.
McDonald announced his candidacy early, in September. He has been campaigning across the district, which stretches from Gap to eastern York County, since then.
While other candidates will only now begin contacting GOP committee people in the sprawling 13th, Wimer said, "We've already been there."
Helen Colwell Adams is a Sunday News staff writer. E-mail her at hcolwell@lnpnews.com, or phone 291-4962. 