Swann’s Now in an Open Field in Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG, Pa. —  Longshot candidate Jim Panyard dropped out of the Republican gubernatorial race Tuesday, clearing the way for former Pittsburgh Steeler star Lynn Swann.

Panyard cited a lack of money and little media interest.

“I’ll get buried,” the former Pennsylvania Manufacturers Assn. executive said. By staying in the race, he said, “I’ll just put my supporters and family through three months of a pipe dream.”

Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell, meanwhile, picked up a longshot foe in Joe McAndrew, a former Macungie councilman.

“The Rendell-Swann celebrity ‘horse race’ will be a media fest,” Panyard said. “Regardless of the outcome, the people of Pennsylvania will lose again.”

Swann spokeswoman Melissa Walters thanked Panyard for his decision to drop his primary challenge. Republican leaders had been pressing to have the party unified in a year when it faces Rendell, a formidable fund-raiser.