Rendell vs. Swann! Yeah, baby, yeah! It's only 2006, and here we may have the PA gubernatorial battle of the century. In case you haven't heard, former Pennsylvania Lt. Governor Bill Scranton has announced that he will not run in the primary for the PA governor's race. This clears the way for Lynn Swann, the former Pittsburgh Steeler, to receive the Republican nomination and run against incumbent Democrat governor Ed Rendell.

This will be an energetic election season. Rendell and Swann are virtually tied in recent polls, while Scranton trailed Rendell by ten points. Swann's only competition in the primary will be Jim Panyard, a Lebanon county businessman who is not seen as a strong candidate. Swann will now be able to concentrate his resources on the fight against Rendell, giving Swann the potential to actually unseat an incumbent PA governor. The Philadelphia Inquirer is likening this race to an Eagles-vs-Steelers "smackdown". (If that comparison holds, Rendell is in trouble!).