Barbara Hafer

Barbara Hafer (born August 1, 1943) is an American politician and convicted felon from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

She founded the Allegheny County Center for Victims of Violent Crime in 1973.

Elsie Hillman, one of the donors to the center, convinced Hafer to run for public office, leading Hafer to run for the Allegheny County Board of Commissioners in 1983.

She defeated incumbent Republican County Commissioner William Hunt in the Primary Election, who had dismissed Hafer as "the little nurse from Elizabeth."

She 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.

In 1988, she ran for State Auditor General, and defeated incumbent Democratic Auditor Donald A. Bailey.

She went on to serve two four-year terms in the post.

In 1990, Barbara Hafer won the Republican nomination for governor challenging incumbent Democratic governor Robert P. Casey Sr. in the general election.

On many issues Auditor Hafer ran to the left of the moderate Governor Casey.

Bob Casey supported government bans on abortion, with Hafer being pro-abortion rights.

Governor Casey maintained a strong lead in the polls and enjoyed high approval ratings.

Hafer campaigned hard, but hurt herself when during the campaign she called the governor a "redneck Irishman."

Her campaign was widely criticized for the remark helping Governor Casey seal his lead in both rural areas of the state which are normally Republican, as well as cement strong support from more traditional Democratic districts.

Auditor Hafer was defeated by thirty-six percentage points.

In 1990, she won the Republican Nomination for Governor to go against the incumbent Democratic governor Robert P. Casey in the general election.

In many areas, Auditor Hafer ran to the left of moderate Governor Bob Casey Sr.. Governor Casey was noted for his strong opposition to abortion rights with Auditor Hafer being pro-choice.

Casey maintained a sizable lead in the polls and high approval ratings.

Hafer campaigned hard, but hurt herself when she called the governor a "redneck Irishman."

Hafer's campaign was widely criticized for the gaff, helping Governor Casey seal his commanding lead in both rural parts of the state which are predominately Republican as well as cementing strong support from the more traditional Democratic districts.

Auditor Hafer was defeated by thirty-six percentage points in one of the most lopsided Gubernatorial elections in state history.

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.

She faced Treasurer Knoll's daughter Mina Knoll in the general election.

A bitter race ensued, with Auditor Hafer challenging Knoll's residency status (she lived in New York) while the Knoll For State Treasurer campaign alleged Auditor Hafer improperly used state funds for personal use as auditor general.

Auditor Hafer would go on to win the election.

The race opened a rift between the two women that culminated in 2000 when Treasurer Knoll herself ran against Treasurer Hafer for treasurer.

As the two most prominent women in Pennsylvania politics at the time, the election was noted for being even more bitter than the previous one; Treasurer Knoll again accused Treasurer Hafer of questionable state funds use as auditor general, while Treasurer Hafer countered that the SEC had investigated Knoll during her time as treasurer.

Hafer also called the Knoll campaign "lying scumbags."

Treasurer Hafer was narrowly reelected.

Her successor for auditor general, Bob Casey Jr.., attempted to audit the public-employee pension funds that Treasurer Hafer is on the boards of.

This opened a lengthy legal battle between Pennsylvania's two financial offices.

Treasurer Hafer maintained no wrongdoing and alleged Auditor Casey had a conflict of interest, while Auditor Casey called her "a smear artist."

Auditor Casey would also succeed Treasurer Hafer as state treasurer.

The Pennsylvania Report said that "She has never marched to a regular drummer, but that is part of her long-running appeal."

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.

She went on to personally endorse Democratic nominee Ed Rendell in the gubernatorial general election of 2002 and joined the Democratic Party in 2003.

In a 2002 PoliticsPA Feature story designating politicians with yearbook superlatives, she was named the "Most Popular."

In 2002, Treasurer Hafer explored a run for the Republican nomination for governor (incumbent Republican governor Mark Schweiker had already announced his intention not to contest the race).

After leaving office in 2005, Hafer considered running for several offices.

Aside from a brief February 2010 candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives Pennsylvania's 12th congressional district seat left vacant by the death of Rep. John Murtha, she never did.

Hafer began her working career as a public-health nurse in the Monongahela Valley.