Robert P. Casey; Former Governor of Pennsylvania

Robert P. Casey, 68, former Pennsylvania governor who had a rare heart-liver transplant in 1993 because of a genetic condition called familial amyloidosis. Four years later he was diagnosed with prostate cancer. A strong-willed Irish American from Scranton, Pa., Casey was a passionate opponent of abortion and persistently criticized his Democratic Party and President Clinton for what he called their “abortion-on-demand” philosophy. He made headlines when he was denied a chance to speak at the Democratic National Convention in 1992, when Clinton was first nominated to run for president. In 1995, Casey formed an exploratory committee to challenge Clinton for the 1996 nomination, but abandoned the effort, unsure he had the stamina for a national campaign. Casey was elected governor in 1986 on his fourth attempt, and reelected easily in 1990. Pennsylvania limits its governors to two consecutive terms. As governor, Casey prided himself on running a frugal government with a caring touch, pushing through a health insurance program for children, comprehensive car insurance reform and improvements in water systems and environment concerns. On the down side, he lost a 1989 referendum for tax reform and also signed new tax legislation in 1991 costing Pennsylvanians $1 billion. A New York native, Casey grew up in Scranton, attended Holy Cross College in Massachusetts on a basketball scholarship and served in the state Senate and as state auditor general. On Tuesday in Harrisburg, Pa., of a viral infection.