A quick look at the backgrounds of the candidates competing in the May 18 primary for the Democratic and Republican nominations for governor:

DEMOCRATS

Joseph M. HoeffelAGE — 59

PARTY — Democrat

EDUCATION — B.A., English, Boston University (1972); J.D., Temple University School of Law (1986).

EXPERIENCE — Army Reserves (1970-76); Pennsylvania House of Representatives (1977-84); private law practice (1986-91); Montgomery County commissioner (1992-98, 2008-present); U.S. House of Representatives (1999-2004); unsuccessful Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, 2004; headed state Office of International Business Development, (2006-07).

FAMILY — Hoeffel and his wife, Francesca, live in Abington. They have two children.

Dan OnoratoAGE — 49

PARTY — Democrat

EDUCATION — B.S., accounting, Penn State University (1983); law degree from the University of Pittsburgh (1989).

EXPERIENCE — Certified public accountant, (1984-86); Pittsburgh City Council (1992-99); Allegheny County controller, (2000-03); Allegheny County executive (2004-present).

FAMILY — Onorato and his wife, Shelly, live in Pittsburgh. They have three children.

Jack WagnerAGE — 62

PARTY — Democrat

EDUCATION — B.S., safety management, Indiana University of Pennsylvania (1974).

EXPERIENCE — U.S. Marine Corps (1966-68); city councilman, Pittsburgh (1984-1993); state senator, Pennsylvania (1994-2005); state auditor general (2005-present).

FAMILY — Wagner and his wife, Nancy, live in Pittsburgh. They have two children

Anthony Hardy WilliamsAGE — 53

PARTY — Democrat

EDUCATION — B.S., economics, Franklin & Marshall College (1979).

EXPERIENCE — Worked for PepsiCo Inc. and ran his own vending-goods company, ATV Inc., during the 1980s; Pennsylvania House of Representatives (1989-1998); Pennsylvania Senate (1999-present).

FAMILY — Williams and his wife, Shari, live in Philadelphia. They have two children.REPUBLICANS

Tom CorbettAGE — 60

PARTY — Republican

EDUCATION — B.A., political science, Lebanon Valley College (1971); J.D., St. Mary's University Law School, San Antonio, Texas (1975).

EXPERIENCE — Pennsylvania Army National Guard (1971-84); Assistant district attorney, Allegheny County (1976-1980); assistant U.S. attorney, Western District of Pennsylvania (1980-83); U.S. attorney, western Pennsylvania (1989-93); assistant general counsel, Waste Management Inc. (1998-2002); state attorney general (1995-97; 2005-present).

FAMILY — Corbett and his wife, Susan, live in the Pittsburgh suburb of Glenshaw. They have two children.

Samuel E. RohrerAGE — 54

PARTY — Republican

EDUCATION — B.S., business administration, Bob Jones University (1977).

EXPERIENCE — Radio station manager (1977-79); marketing director of Graco Children's Products Inc. in Elverson (1980-92); Pennsylvania House of Representatives (1993-present).

FAMILY — Rohrer and his wife, Ruth Ann, live in Elverson. They have six children.