Skip to content
Politics
Link copied to clipboard

Top Wolf aide Hanger steps down

HARRISBURG - In the midst of a historic budget impasse, a key member of Gov. Wolf's inner circle is stepping down, saying he wants to spend more time with his family.

John Hanger, the secretary of policy and planning, said he was tired of commuting weekends to Massachusetts, where his wife works as an administrator at a medical school.
John Hanger, the secretary of policy and planning, said he was tired of commuting weekends to Massachusetts, where his wife works as an administrator at a medical school.Read moreAP Photo/Jacqueline Larma

HARRISBURG - In the midst of a historic budget impasse, a key member of Gov. Wolf's inner circle is stepping down, saying he wants to spend more time with his family.

John Hanger, the secretary of policy and planning, said Friday he was tired of commuting on weekends to Massachusetts, where his wife works as a medical school administrator.

"It is important to place first my wife of 36 years and my remarkable daughter, who have supported me in my work," he said in a statement.

As the governor continues to wrangle with legislative Republicans, news of his departure immediately sparked talk of a shake-up in Wolf's front office. Administration officials sought to downplay any suggestion of unrest.

Hanger, 58, a longtime Capitol presence, was at times a polarizing figure. His job, to push for Wolf's policies to be enacted, amounted at times to frontline combat.

Sources familiar with the decision said he could be strident and combative, and that groups had complained about him. Some said that had become an untenable position in negotiations with Republicans.

"John Hanger is a black-and-white sort of guy - us vs. them, that's his mentality," said Drew Crompton, the Senate's top Republican lawyer.

"That's OK. I don't think there is a problem with having voices in your administration who see the world in black and white. But it has to be tempered . . . especially in an environment where the General Assembly is dominated by Republicans."

If or how his departure might affect the gridlock in Harrisburg - Wolf is still waiting to sign a budget that was due in July, while trying to plan for the next one - is unclear. Wolf named Hanger's deputy, Sarah Galbally, to take over the position.

Hanger was unavailable for an interview Friday.

In a statement, Wolf praised his efforts.

"John's service to my administration has been invaluable, and it is difficult to see John leave his current position," the governor said. "I have known John for many years and I am glad that John will continue to provide me the benefit of his counsel and expertise in the years ahead."

A Hummelstown resident, Hanger ran the Department of Environmental Protection under Gov. Ed Rendell from 2008 until 2011. Two years ago, he launched his own campaign for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, but it never got traction. Ultimately, he joined Wolf's team.

As policy and planning secretary, he was tapped to help craft and realize policy priorities. But the administration's first year has been largely overshadowed by the lingering budget gridlock.

Republicans pounced on the news of his departure.

"All the staff shake-ups in the world won't change Gov. Tom Wolf's role in single-handedly withholding billions of dollars from our schools and social services," a GOP spokeswoman said in an email.

Hanger is the second high-profile member of Wolf's inner circle to leave. Katie McGinty, his former chief of staff, stepped down last summer to run for the U.S. Senate.

acouloumbis@phillynews.com

717-787-5934 @AngelasInk