Why was Jerry Knowles elected?

“People didn’t elect me to implement the largest gas tax increase in the history of Pennsylvania,” said state representative Jerry Knowles of Schuylkill County.  

So why did they elect him?  Perhaps they expected him to make some hard decisions.  Perhaps they expected a representative who didn’t slavishly follow Grover Norquist.  Perhaps they wanted someone who was thoughtful and governed by reason rather than soundbites.  Maybe they expected political courage.

Too bad they got Jerry Knowles.