Michael Lamb scores endorsement of Philadelphia mayor for state auditor general race

Pittsburgh Controller Michael Lamb, a Democratic candidate this year for Pennsylvania auditor general, scored a major pledge of support this week with an endorsement from Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney.

Lamb, 57, of Mt. Washington, who has been campaigning across Pennsylvania since announcing his candidacy late last year, said gaining the support of political leaders from across the state is a critical component of his campaign.

“To have a statewide win, you have to be able to demonstrate support in all parts of Pennsylvania, and having the biggest elected official on the other side of the state endorse me is important,” he said.

G. Terry Madonna, director of the Center for Politics and Public Affairs at Franklin & Marshall College, said it’s even more important that leaders offering endorsements follow through with support through political organizations and fund-raising.

“Kenney obviously has an organization in the city and, make no mistake about it, if you’re a Democrat and you have something of solid support in the largest city in the state, that’s a pretty big deal,” he said. “The question is, is Kenney going to put his resources in terms of the organizational activities behind (Lamb)?”

He added that Kenney would certainly want Lamb to win.

“You don’t want to make endorsement and have them lose,” he said. “People will say, ‘What good is your endorsement?’ ”

Lamb said he was pleased that Kenney recognized his work as controller.

The mayor said in a statement that Lamb has demonstrated a “commitment to reform and a progressive vision of putting people first.”

“Nothing is more telling about Michael Lamb’s character and priorities than his successful fight to eliminate his own job as prothonotary back in 2005,” he said.

Lamb, who served as Allegheny County prothonotary from 2000 to 2007, advocated for county row office consolidation and became the last prothonotary when the position was eliminated under the county’s adoption of a Home Rule Charter. He’s served as Pittsburgh controller since 2008.

“I think it’s a message that can help us win,” Lamb said.

He admits that running statewide will be a challenge.

At least five other Democrats have said they plan to run in the April 28 primary.

They include Tracie Fountain, a certified public accountant who worked in the auditor general’s office until 2019; state Rep. Scott Conklin of Centre County; Christina Hartman, a Lancaster County consultant and former congressional candidate; Nina Ahmad, a former Philadelphia deputy mayor; and Alan Butkovitz, who previously served as Philadelphia controller.

On the Republican side, Lancaster Commissioner Dennis Stuckey has said he is considering running for the office.

Lamb said he’s been raising funds for the campaign, but couldn’t immediately provide an exact amount. He said the campaign would file its first financial report next week.

He has also received local endorsements from Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, an array of state lawmakers and congressional representatives and large labor unions.

Lamb is part of a multigenerational political family. His late father, Thomas Lamb, was a Pennsylvania state legislator who became a lobbyist and aide to Gov. Robert Casey. His nephew is U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb, a Democrat from Mt. Lebanon.

Mayor Bill Peduto has remained uncommitted, Lamb said. Peduto was unavailable Friday.

“I’ve talked to Bill, and Bill and I have had a very good conversation about my race,” Lamb said.