John Fetterman, mayor of Braddock, Pennsylvania and lieutenant governor hopeful, made an appearance at Webster's Bookstore Cafe in State College just hours after he received an endorsement from former governor and Philadelphia mayor Ed Rendell.
"He revitalized the downtown, reduced the crime rate. Braddock hasn't had a homicide in five and a half years - an extraordinary record," Rendell said. "Most of all, he brought hope back to a fine heritage Pennsylvania city in Braddock."
Fetterman said it’s nice to have the recognition.
“I was in Center City Philadelphia today to receive the endorsement of former Governor Ed Rendell, and our campaign has been off to a tremendous start,” he said to the packed crowd at Webster's.
Fetterman, who ran for and lost the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in 2016, said he will continue to offer a progressive agenda and that he'll continue to fight for struggling cities in Pennsylvania.
He's one of five Democrats to announce a bid for lieutenant governor in 2018, challenging incumbent Mike Stack.
Stack is dogged by stories of his family mistreating staff at the lieutenant governor's residence, as well as spending heavily on travel and perks.
Rendell says the endorsement is completely on his own and he did not coordinate with Governor Tom Wolf.
Wolf said he is staying out of the race for lieutenant governor completely.
In Pennsylvania, the governor and lieutenant governor run separately, not on a shared ticket.
