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Barbara Hafer

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Barbara Hafer
73rd Treasurer of Pennsylvania
In office
January 21, 1997 – January 18, 2005
GovernorTom Ridge
Mark Schweiker
Ed Rendell
Preceded byCatherine Knoll
Succeeded byBob Casey Jr.
48th Auditor General of Pennsylvania
In office
January 17, 1989 – January 21, 1997
GovernorRobert Casey
Tom Ridge
Preceded byDonald Bailey
Succeeded byBob Casey Jr.
Member of the Allegheny County Board of Commissioners
In office
January 2, 1984 – January 17, 1989
Preceded byWilliam Hunt
Succeeded byLarry Dunn
Personal details
Born (1943-08-01) August 1, 1943 (age 81)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Political partyRepublican (before 2003)
Democratic (2003–present)
SpouseJohn Pidgeon (deceased)
Children1
EducationDuquesne University (BA)

Barbara Hafer (born August 1, 1943) is an American politician from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. She served as a member of the Allegheny County Board of Commissioners from 1984 to 1989,[1] as the Auditor General of Pennsylvania from 1989 to 1997[2][3] and as the Treasurer of Pennsylvania from 1997 to 2005.[4][5]

In 1990, Barbara Hafer won the Republican nomination for governor challenging incumbent Democratic governor Robert P. Casey Sr. in the general election. On many issues Auditor Hafer ran to the left of the moderate Governor Casey. Bob Casey supported government bans on abortion, with Hafer being pro-abortion rights. Governor Casey maintained a strong lead in the polls and enjoyed high approval ratings. Hafer campaigned hard, but hurt herself when during the campaign she called the governor a "redneck Irishman." Her campaign was widely criticized for the remark helping Governor Casey seal his lead in both rural areas of the state which are normally Republican, as well as cement strong support from more traditional Democratic districts. Auditor Hafer was defeated by thirty-six percentage points.

Hafer explored a second run for the Republican nomination for Governor of Pennsylvania in the 2002 Pennsylvania gubernatorial election, but withdrew after the Republican Party favored Attorney General Mike Fisher. She went on to personally endorse Democratic nominee Ed Rendell in the gubernatorial general election of 2002 and joined the Democratic Party in 2003. After leaving office in 2005, Hafer considered running for several offices. Aside from a brief February 2010 candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district seat left vacant by the death of Rep. John Murtha, she never did.

Early political career

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Hafer began her working career as a public-health nurse in the Monongahela Valley. She founded the Allegheny County Center for Victims of Violent Crime in 1973. Elsie Hillman, one of the donors to the center, convinced Hafer to run for public office, leading Hafer to run for the Allegheny County Board of Commissioners in 1983.[6]

She defeated incumbent Republican County Commissioner William Hunt in the Primary Election, who had dismissed Hafer as "the little nurse from Elizabeth."[7] In 1988, she ran for State Auditor General, and defeated incumbent Democratic Auditor Donald A. Bailey. She went on to serve two four-year terms in the post.

In 1990, she won the Republican Nomination for Governor to go against the incumbent Democratic governor Robert P. Casey in the general election. In many areas, Auditor Hafer ran to the left of moderate Governor Bob Casey Sr. Governor Casey was noted for his strong opposition to abortion rights with Auditor Hafer being pro-choice. Casey maintained a sizable lead in the polls and high approval ratings. Hafer campaigned hard, but hurt herself when she called the governor a "redneck Irishman."[8] Hafer's campaign was widely criticized for the gaff, helping Governor Casey seal his commanding lead in both rural parts of the state which are predominately Republican as well as cementing strong support from the more traditional Democratic districts. Auditor Hafer was defeated by thirty-six percentage points in one of the most lopsided Gubernatorial elections in state history.

Unable to seek a third term as auditor general under Pennsylvania term limits Barbara Hafer announced she was running for State Treasurer in 1996 to succeed State Treasurer Catherine Baker Knoll. She faced Treasurer Knoll's daughter Mina Knoll in the general election. A bitter race ensued, with Auditor Hafer challenging Knoll's residency status (she lived in New York) while the Knoll For State Treasurer campaign alleged Auditor Hafer improperly used state funds for personal use as auditor general. Auditor Hafer would go on to win the election.

The race opened a rift between the two women that culminated in 2000 when Treasurer Knoll herself ran against Treasurer Hafer for treasurer. As the two most prominent women in Pennsylvania politics at the time, the election was noted for being even more bitter than the previous one; Treasurer Knoll again accused Treasurer Hafer of questionable state funds use as auditor general, while Treasurer Hafer countered that the SEC had investigated Knoll during her time as treasurer. Hafer also called the Knoll campaign "lying scumbags."[9] Treasurer Hafer was narrowly reelected.

Her successor for auditor general, Bob Casey Jr., attempted to audit the public-employee pension funds that Treasurer Hafer is on the boards of.[10] This opened a lengthy legal battle between Pennsylvania's two financial offices. Treasurer Hafer maintained no wrongdoing and alleged Auditor Casey had a conflict of interest, while Auditor Casey called her "a smear artist." Auditor Casey would also succeed Treasurer Hafer as state treasurer.

The Pennsylvania Report said that "She has never marched to a regular drummer, but that is part of her long-running appeal."[11] In a 2002 PoliticsPA Feature story designating politicians with yearbook superlatives, she was named the "Most Popular."[12]

2002 gubernatorial election and party-switch

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In 2002, Treasurer Hafer explored a run for the Republican nomination for governor (incumbent Republican governor Mark Schweiker had already announced his intention not to contest the race). However, after it became clear that the GOP establishment had already decided on Pennsylvania Attorney General Mike Fisher as their candidate, she dropped out of the race. Treasurer Hafer went on to endorse the Democratic nominee, former Philadelphia mayor Ed Rendell, effectively severing all her remaining ties to the Republican Party. Her decision to endorse Mayor Rendell "psychologically helped break" the back of the Fisher For Governor campaign.,[11] and Mayor Rendell went on to win the Election.

In 2003, Treasurer Hafer completed her political conversion by switching to the Democratic Party. Her switch was criticized by Senator Rick Santorum and other Pennsylvania Republicans, for using the backing of the party for five statewide campaigns, only to then switch without even contesting a Primary.[6] She countered that Senator Santorum being the "de facto" leader of the state party has moved them further to the right, alienating socially liberal (but fiscally conservative) Republicans like herself.[6] She cemented herself as a Democrat by donating the maximum amount to Massachusetts Senator John Kerry's Presidential campaign, and endorsing Dan Onorato in his successful bid for Allegheny County chief executive. Hafer also donated to Mayor John Street's re-election campaign.[13]

Later political career

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After her party switch, it was reported that she was considering challenging long-time rival and incumbent lieutenant governor Catherine Baker Knoll in the Democratic primary. She was also reportedly considering seeking the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate against Republican senator Rick Santorum, with a likely primary challenge to the front-runner Bob Casey Jr., Hafer's other political rival. Hafer however affirmed that she buried the hatchet with all of her former rivals long ago, and did not run against either,[14] endorsing Bob Casey Jr. as soon as he announced his Senate candidacy.

Barbara Hafer's daughter, Beth sought to run against Republican Congressman Tim Murphy in 2008, but narrowly lost the Democratic primary.[15]

Arrest and conviction

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In February 2010, five years after leaving the office of Treasurer, Hafer declared her candidacy for the Congressional seat left vacant by the death of incumbent Democrat John Murtha.[16] She sought the Democratic nomination for the May special election.[17] During that time, Hafer accepted money from her chief campaign backer and lied about it to the FBI.[18]

On July 21, 2016, Hafer was indicted on federal charges of lying about taking in more than $500,000 in consulting fees from a company that did business with her office. U.S. Attorney Peter Smith said Hafer lied to federal agents who interviewed her in May about money she secretly took in from a business person referred to in the indictment only as "Person #1". Sources close to the investigation described "Person #1" as moneyman Richard W. Ireland, of Chester County, one of Hafer's biggest campaign contributors. The case was investigated by the FBI, IRS and Pennsylvania State Police. She was later convicted and sentenced to 36 months probation and a $50,000 fine.[19][20]

Personal life

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In the fall of 2010, Hafer was named in an estate lawsuit that revolves around her late husband, John Pidgeon. The lawsuit claims that she shifted more than $900,000 from her late husband's children and grandchildren to herself and her daughter in the final months of her husband's life. Pidgeon's children and grandchildren are claiming that Hafer took advantage of her husband's declining health and mental status to gain financial benefit.[21]

Prior to her political career, Hafer was employed as a registered nurse. She resides in Indiana, Pennsylvania.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "New Allegheny commissioners promise new era of cooperation". The Gettysburg Times. January 3, 1984. Retrieved December 29, 2011.
  2. ^ "Casey welcomes Knoll, Hafer, Preate to Office". The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. January 18, 1989. Retrieved November 21, 2011.
  3. ^ Cattabiani, Mario (January 24, 1997). "It's Robert, Not Bobby, If You Please". The Morning Call. Archived from the original on March 25, 2013. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
  4. ^ "New State Officials Take Their Oath". The Philadelphia Inquirer. January 22, 1997. Retrieved November 21, 2011.
  5. ^ "Special Sessions Usually Aren't". The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. January 2, 2005. Retrieved November 20, 2005.
  6. ^ a b c "Archives | The Philadelphia Inquirer". www.inquirer.com. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  7. ^ Rosensweet, Alvin (November 18, 1983). "Commissioners OK bond issue; Hafer protests". The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved December 30, 2011.
  8. ^ Hafer's Irish problem
  9. ^ "Reading Eagle - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  10. ^ "国产三级日本三级日产三级,999国产精品永久免费视频,99Re6在线视频精品免费,澳门永久Av免费网站" (PDF). September 20, 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 20, 2006. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  11. ^ a b "The PA Report 'Power 75' List" (PDF). Pennsylvania Report. Capital Growth, Inc. January 31, 2003. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 20, 2006.
  12. ^ "Keystone State Yearbook Committee". PoliticsPA. The Publius Group. 2001. Archived from the original on August 3, 2002.
  13. ^ "Barbara Hafer makes it official: She's a Democrat again". old.post-gazette.com. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  14. ^ "Hafer heads to private life". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  15. ^ "House Outlook for 2008". University of Virginia Center for Politics. October 22, 2008. Archived from the original on February 25, 2009. Retrieved February 21, 2009.
  16. ^ Manganaro, John. "Exclusive: Hafer running to succeed Murtha". pa2010.com. Retrieved November 21, 2011.
  17. ^ Becker, Bernie (March 10, 2010). "Democrat Drops Out of Race for Murtha Seat". The New York Times. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
  18. ^ Matt Miller (October 31, 2017). "'Ashamed and heart-sick': Ex-Pa. Treasurer Barbara Hafer gets probation, $50K fine for lying to the feds". pennlive.com.
  19. ^ Fazlollah, Mark; et al. "Ex-state treasurer Barbara Hafer charged with lying to feds about $500,000 in consulting fees". Philadelphia Media Network, LLC. Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  20. ^ "Ex-Pa. Treasurer Barbara Hafer is now officially a felon". pennlive.com. June 9, 2017.
  21. ^ Nereim, Vivian (October 13, 2010). "Hafer named in estate lawsuit". The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved November 21, 2011.
[edit]
Political offices
Preceded by Auditor General of Pennsylvania
1989–1997 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Treasurer of Pennsylvania
1997–2005
Party political offices
Preceded by
Susan M. Shanaman
 Republican nominee for Auditor General of Pennsylvania
1988, 1992 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Republican nominee for Governor of Pennsylvania
1990 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Lowman S. Henry
 Republican nominee for Treasurer of Pennsylvania
1996, 2000 		Succeeded by
Jean Craige Pepper
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