Corbett's Democratic opponent was Jim Eisenhower, the 2000 nominee who had once served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and had been a close confidant of Governor Ed Rendell.

Eisenhower won in a primary that featured three top-tier candidates: his opponents were David Barasch, a former U.S. Attorney, and John Morganelli, the Northampton County District Attorney who was narrowly defeated by Eisenhower in the previous Democratic primary for this position.

In the Republican primary, Bruce Castor was supported by Mike Fisher, Rob Gleason, Frank Bartle and Fred Anton.

[3] Tom Corbett was supported by Chris Bravacos, Stan Rapp, Bob Asher, David Girard DiCarlo, and Jeff Piccola.

[3] Joe Peters was supported by Paul Evanko, Roger Madigan, Frank Rizzo, and Bill Scranton.