Democratic gubernatorial nominee Ed Rendell, who learned Knoll would be his running mate early yesterday morning, said she would be an asset to his campaign.
When asked whether she was ready to become governor if necessary - as the last two lieutenant governors have had to do - Rendell said, "I think she is. She is an experienced state official."
Analysts say Knoll brings positive and negatives to the ticket. "She can help keep the pro-life Democrats to the Rendell campaign, and she helps in the west and with the women's vote and party regulars," said political analyst Larry Ceisler. "The negative is her tenure as state treasurer," which was tainted by a scandal involving an aide.
Knoll's primary win ensures the election of Pennsylvania's first woman lieutenant governor; women are on both the Democratic and Republican tickets. The state ranks 48th in the number of women in political office and is one of only a handful of states that have never elected a woman to the second-in-command job.
The GOP gubernatorial candidate, State Attorney General Mike Fisher, endorsed State Sen. Jane Earll, 44, a former prosecutor from Erie. She ran unopposed in the primary.
"This has big political implications, because this office is now a major base for the governor's office," said analyst Michael Young.
Having a woman in the executive office will also elevate the so-called women's issues, such as health care and education, say several analysts.
Knoll said she welcomed the opportunity to be part of the Rendell team, recalling their working relationship during her term as state treasurer at a time when Philadelphia was in the midst of a financial crisis.
"I will be great for the Rendell campaign," she said. "We both believe strongly in education, and together we will balance of two sides of the commonwealth."
