Former Pittsburgh Steeler Lynn Swann has a good chance of becoming the first black Pennsylvania governor, said a Centre County political leader who voted with Pennsylvania's Republican State Committee that unanimously endorsed Swann Saturday.

Centre County Republican Committee Chairman G.T. Thompson, a member of the 300-person committee, said Swann could also make history by beating incumbent Gov. Ed Rendell. A Pennsylvania incumbent governor has never been beaten.

"Swann's chances are good from two perspectives," he said. "First, the dissatisfaction of citizens that the governor has not delivered on promises he made during the election and also the fresh face and energy Mr. Swann brings to the race."

The endorsement is one of Swann's final steps toward becoming Rendell's opponent in the 2007 gubernatorial election. The committee also endorsed Montgomery County commissioner Jim Matthews for lieutenant governor.

"I liked [Swann] a whole lot better when he was running up the field back in the glory days," Centre County Democratic Committee Chairman Bob Shepherd said. "I think he will make a fine candidate. But the best man will win, and I'm pretty sure I know who the best man is."

However, Thompson said he is optimistic about the upcoming election because Swann and Matthews make an "incredible team."

Vicky Cangelosi, College Republicans chairwoman, said she is thrilled with Swann's endorsement.

"I think he is one of the best gubernatorial candidates we have seen in many years," she said. "He is a good, moral family man. He has great name recognition already. His views line up with the party's core values."

Cangelosi said one of the main focuses of Swann's campaign will likely be tax reduction, especially since it is one of Rendell's election promises. Cangelosi added that Rendell never delivered on that promise.

She said Swann's chances of winning are good especially because of dissent among Rendell's own party.

"The sentiments among Democrats seems to be disappointment of Rendell's failure to deliver on promises," Cangelosi said.

Shepherd said Republicans will try to make tax reduction an issue in the campaign despite the fact that Rendell has raised expenditures, not taxes.

"The governor has tried to get gaming going and pass tax reduction on the local levels and it hasn't really worked because both the state House and Senate are against him," Shepherd said.

Alex Smith, College Democrats chairman, said he believes experience will be the biggest factor of the campaign, especially since Rendell served as mayor of Philadelphia.

"I feel confident that Ed Rendell will win in November," Smith said. "He brings a lot of political and executive experience to the position, which Swann does not have."

Swann will now face Jim Panyard, a former military member who did not compete for the state endorsement, in the state general primaries in May. Bill Scranton, former lieutenant governor for Gov. Dick Thornburgh, dropped out of the race Tuesday.

"Our campaign is strong but not strong enough to defeat a candidate who has received the near unanimous backing of state and national party leaders," Scranton said in a press release.

Scranton faced issues early in the campaign when he fired campaign manager James Seif for calling Swann "the rich white guy in this campaign" on a televised show.

"I wish the very best to Lynn Swann and Jim Panyard as they continue their quest for the Republican nomination," Scranton said in the press release. "I commit today to extend my full, unequivocal support to the nominee that emerges in May."