Former DEP head John Hanger to announce gubernatorial bid

(Harrisburg) — Former state Environmental Protection secretary John Hanger aims to be the first person to announce his candidacy for governor in 2014.

Hanger's campaign has announced he'll kick off his bid for the Democratic nomination at news conferences Wednesday in Philadelphia and Harrisburg and Thursday in Pittsburgh.

The 55-year-old Hanger says his campaign will focus on education, jobs, energy and the environment. The Harrisburg lawyer plans to travel by school bus between Wednesday's events to underscore his commitment to education.

Hanger is one of several Democrats who have expressed interest in challenging Republican Gov. Tom Corbett's expected re-election bid.

Hanger served five years on the state Public Utility Commission and headed the Department of Environmental Protection for nearly three years. He also was the founding president of the environmental group PennFuture.