HARRISBURG -- The race for state treasurer, held every four years, isn't one that attracts a whole lot of attention from voters or reporters.

That's the problem faced by both the Republican candidate for treasurer, Tom Ellis, and his Democratic opponent, Rob McCord.

The men, both from Montgomery County in suburban Philadelphia, are running to become the state's new chief financial officer.

Problems attracting publicity, and their home county, aren't the only things they share. Each holds two Ivy League degrees, each has two children and each is 49 years old.

And each says he has big plans if elected to replace Robin Wiessmann, the current treasurer, who is not running.

Mr. Ellis, who holds an undergraduate and law degree from the University of Pennsylvania, is a public finance attorney at a Philadelphia law firm, Ballard Spahr Andrews and Ingersoll, Gov. Ed Rendell's former law firm, and is a former chairman of the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners.

The state treasurer's job "is actually tailor-made for my background," Mr. Ellis said.

"Most people don't even know we have a state treasurer. You run for this position because you feel you can do something for the people of this commonwealth."

Mr. McCord, who holds an undergraduate degree from Harvard and a master's degree in business administration from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, works as a venture capitalist. He co-founded Pennsylvania Early Stage Partners, three venture capital funds that invest in early-stage life-science and information technology firms.

"My professional experience, my education and my personal experiences" are what made him want to run for treasurer, Mr. McCord said.

"I'm not one of these business leaders who never tasted economic insecurity. I have a sense of what that can look and feel like ... and that's helping to shape this race for me."

The treasurer oversees a department with more than 500 employees and an annual budget of $60 million. The salary is $141,000 a year.

Mr. Ellis said his main goal as treasurer would be to make sure money that comes into the state is invested at the best rate and the lowest cost. He also wants to revamp the state's college savings plan.

Mr. Ellis said often people are investing in college savings plans outside of Pennsylvania -- if they are investing at all. He said he would like to see a tuition break if residents used their college savings money at a state institution.

He also would like to implement campaign finance reform measures and see the state divest from companies that do business with nations that support or harbor terrorists.

If Mr. McCord wins, he has three main goals: create jobs and help develop companies; increase economic security, especially in managing pension funds for senior citizens or soon-to-be seniors; and use innovation to increase returns on investments.

He also wants to push "green investing," helping people get loans to make their homes more energy efficient.

Mr. McCord is cautious, however, of divesting state funds from companies dealing with terrorist nations. He said the treasurer must avoid the danger of being "a hero today" by divesting from these companies when, in the long-term, it causes a negative effect on pensions.

"We can do this very efficiently and at the same time ... we can help to ensure that pensioners are not hurt by anti-terrorism investment policies," said Mr. McCord. "I'm very much someone who believes we are all somewhat 'social investors' -- no one wants to invest in companies with bad practices."

The treasurer's race, while generally an obscure statewide contest, deserves more attention than it usually gets, according to Chris Borick, a political science professor at Muhlenberg College.

"When you really look at the treasurer's office, it's really important," Mr. Borick said.

The treasurer "is basically the chief financial officer for the state of Pennsylvania, with a multi-billion-dollar budget annually that has to be managed."

But if there are no scandals or financial irregularities, Mr. Borick said the position slips off voters' radar.

"In a state as large as Pennsylvania, with a budget as large as Pennsylvania's (over $28 billion), having someone who's qualified and capable in that office is important," he said.

The office also frequently acts as a springboard to other elected positions within the state. But neither candidate is looking at future positions right now.

Mr. McCord, who would not completely rule out a future run, said he is not planning one at this time.

"I think for most treasurers, the odds are with them running again ... but I'm not someone who needs to hold public office. That's not what I've organized my life around."

Mr. Ellis is sure he will not seek another elected office.

"I think you go, serve your time in government and then go back to the private world," he said. "I'd like to do eight years as treasurer and go back and practice law some more."