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The Democratic candidate for governor of Pennsylvania on Wednesday defined the middle class as taxpayers earning less than $90,000 annually, leaving open the possibility that his proposed tax hikes for others would take effect above that level.

For me, the middle class is somewhere in the $70,000 to $90,000 [range] on the individual tax return, said Tom Wolf, a businessman who is trying to upset Republican Gov. Tom Corbetts bid for a second term.

In a debate, Mr. Wolf said he wants to cut the states income tax for middle-class workers. He has said he intends to raise taxes on wealthier families, but hasnt provided the details.

Mr. Corbett, trailing by as many as 20 percentage points in recent polls, tried to pounce on the Democrats revelation.

So two teachers [filing jointly] who make over $90,000, you would consider above the middle class? Mr. Corbett asked.

Assuming those teachers still had their jobs, replied Mr. Wolf, who blames the incumbent for thousands of teacher layoffs due to cuts in education funding.

It was their second debate of the campaign, in which polls show Mr. Corbett struggling against a challenger whos never held elected office. A Franklin and Marshall College poll on Sept. 22 showed Mr. Wolf leading among likely voters, 57 percent to 37 percent. A Morning Call-Muhlenberg College survey on Sept. 18 showed the Democrat with a 21-point lead, 54 percent to 33 percent.

Mr. Corbett is calling attention to the Democrats plans to raise taxes, including his proposal to impose a new 5 percent severance tax on the states burgeoning shale gas industry. Mr. Wolf says he would use hundreds of millions of dollars from that source to restore some of the education funding that Mr. Corbett didnt replace when federal stimulus money from the Obama administration dried up.

Pressed for specifics on his planned tax increases Wednesday, Mr. Wolf, who said he wants to cut taxes for the middle class, didnt divulge much.

Ive as been specific as I can, he said. Ill be specific when I understand what kind of [budget] hole this governor has left the next governor.

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Democrat in Pa. governor's race plans income-tax hikes