Barbara Hafer was born on August 1,1943 and is an American politician and convicted felon from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
26 Facts About Barbara Hafer
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Barbara Hafer served as a member of the Allegheny County Board of Commissioners from 1984 to 1989, as the Auditor General of Pennsylvania from 1989 to 1997 and as the Treasurer of Pennsylvania from 1997 to 2005.
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In 1990, Barbara Hafer won the Republican nomination for governor challenging incumbent Democratic governor Robert P Casey Sr.
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On many issues Auditor Hafer ran to the left of the moderate Governor Casey.
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Bob Casey supported government bans on abortion, with Barbara Hafer being pro-abortion rights.
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Barbara 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.
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Barbara Hafer went on to personally endorse Democratic nominee Ed Rendell in the gubernatorial general election of 2002 and joined the Democratic Party in 2003.
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Barbara Hafer began her working career as a public-health nurse in the Monongahela Valley.
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Barbara Hafer founded the Allegheny County Center for Victims of Violent Crime in 1973.
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Elsie Hillman, one of the donors to the center, convinced Barbara Hafer to run for public office, leading Barbara Hafer to run for the Allegheny County Board of Commissioners in 1983.
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Barbara Hafer went on to serve two four-year terms in the post.
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In many areas, Auditor Barbara Hafer ran to the left of moderate Governor Bob Casey Sr.
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Auditor Barbara Hafer was defeated by thirty-six percentage points in one of the most lopsided Gubernatorial elections in state history.
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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.
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Barbara Hafer faced Treasurer Knoll's daughter Mina Knoll in the general election.
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In 2002, Treasurer Barbara Hafer explored a run for the Republican nomination for governor.
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In 2003, Treasurer Barbara Hafer completed her political conversion by switching to the Democratic Party.
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Barbara Hafer's 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.
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Barbara Hafer countered that Senator Santorum being the "de facto" leader of the state party has moved them further to the right, alienating socially liberal Republicans like herself.
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Barbara Hafer 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.
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Barbara Hafer was reportedly considering seeking the Democratic nomination for US Senate against Republican senator Rick Santorum, with a likely primary challenge to the front-runner Bob Casey Jr.
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Barbara Hafer however affirmed that she buried the hatchet with all of her former rivals long ago, and did not run against either, endorsing Bob Casey Jr.
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In February 2010, five years after leaving the office of Treasurer, Barbara Hafer declared her candidacy for the Congressional seat left vacant by the death of incumbent Democrat John Murtha.
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On July 21,2016, Barbara 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.
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Barbara Hafer was later convicted and sentenced to 36 months probation and a $50,000 fine.
26.
Pidgeon's children and grandchildren are claiming that Barbara Hafer took advantage of her husband's declining health and mental status to gain financial benefit.