Son Of Legendary Politician Running For State Treasurer
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - It's been seven years since former Lt. Gov. and state Treasurer Catherine Baker Knoll passed away.
But her son, Albert Baker Knoll, hopes to ignite some of that political fire identified with his mother for decades.
"I am declaring my candidacy for State Treasurer of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania," Knoll declared on Thursday at KDKA-TV.
Knoll is running for the open seat, once occupied by his mother and most recently by Rob McCord, who resigned after pleading guilty to extortion.
Albert, who recently retired after thirty years with Sunoco, acknowledges he's different from his mother.
"I'm a private sector corporate executive where I served three and a half decades fighting for Pennsylvania jobs for a 125 year old Pennsylvania company," Knoll told KDKA political editor Jon Delano.
"And yet during that whole time I was involved in public service because I was at her side and did government relations for the corporation."
Knoll touts his business experience as a key qualification to manage the state's treasury.
Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter
"Participating for an energy company in the growth of the energy sector throughout Pennsylvania and fighting every inch of the way for Pennsylvania economic development and Pennsylvania jobs, prepares me to know this office and to bring the benefit of that private sector experience to the table," he said.
"My record of working across the aisle, breaking the gridlock, getting stuff done with the other party is well-known."
Knoll grew up in McKees Rocks and lives in Crafton Heights but also lived and worked in Philadelphia where Sunoco is based.
He sees that as an advantage.
"I think it's time we had somebody from the west who also is deeply rooted in the east," said the Pittsburgh native.
"I feel when I go to Scranton, Erie, Harrisburg, but notably Philadelphia and back home in Allegheny County that I am the strongest Democrat."
But Knoll knows that it's Catherine Baker Knoll that has blazed his trail.
"I feel I have her DNA baked into me and in every fiber of my being I feel I am my mother's son. As I criss-cross this commonwealth, the love and respect and reverence for her as a people person infuses everything I do every day of the week in this campaign."
