Now, Knox For Guv

The man who first made a name for himself in business and then made a second name for himself in politics, Tom Knox, is still in the game for real. The job he has his eye on now is Governor of Pennsylvania.

Knox was circulating around town last week, passing out newly-minted “Tom Knox for Governor” business cards. While the exploratory work has not reached formal-launch status, it was clear he means business.

“I had held some discussions with ticket-makers regarding line offices such as Auditor General and State Treasurer,” Knox said. “In the end, I didn’t feel these were suited to me.” Knox believes his strength is in the role of chief executive, so he will seek to follow his former boss Ed Rendell into the Governor’s seat in Harrisburg.

The line offices are up for election this year. The Governor’s office won’t open up until 2010, giving Knox time to plan and work.

Knox came from nowhere to run a strong second in the wild five-way 2008 Democratic primary race last spring. He was fueled by large jets of cash from his personal fortune, but he also made a personal connection with thousands of Philadelphians who responded to his sound-management, clean-government outsider’s pitch.

Since that Mayoral race Knox has maintained a farflung schedule of political visitation, keeping in touch with all sorts of communities and groups in the city.

Fumo Funding May Boost Larry

Now he has stepped out of the 2008 campaign, State Sen. Vincent Fumo’s campaign fund has become a potential treasure trove for other candidates. It is still legal to contribute to his campaign fund, but Fumo cannot overtly solicit for another candidate.

At a recent meeting, though, the Senator spoke warmly of the need to support “fresh young blood” in politics in his 1st Senatorial Dist. There is little doubt some of Fumo’s money may ultimately be transferred to one of the remaining contenders: Anne Dicker, John Dougherty or Larry Farnese.

All signs are Fumo is in Farnese’s camp. And he is only 39, after all. Dicker, at 35, and even Dougherty, at 47, are also younger than Fumo, but they may not be the blood he has in mind.

Gay Dems Pick Slate

Members of Liberty City LesBiGayTrans (LGBT) Democrat Club endorsed nine local candidates for office in State House races, the 1st State Senate race, and the State Treasurer's race, as well as Hillary Clinton for President.

"Our members picked good, progressive candidates who have a real chance at winning, and making a difference for our community's issues," said Ray Murphy, co-chair. "From supporting challengers like Kevin Lee in the 163rd, who if elected will be the first out gay man in the State House, to supporting incumbents like State Reps. Babette Josephs in the 182nd and Tony Payton, Jr. in the 179th, Liberty City members chose viable candidates who will show real leadership on LGBT issues in Harrisburg over the next two years."

Over 55 voting members, including three sitting City Council members, agreed to endorse the following candidates in these primary races:

For President, Hillary Clinton; for State Treasurer, Rob McCord; for State Senate, 1st Dist., Larry Farnese; for State Rep in the 163rd Dist., Kevin Lee; for State Rep in the 179th, Tony Payton, Jr.; for State Rep in the 181st, W. Curtis Thomas; for State Rep in the 182nd, Babette Josephs; for State Rep in the 186th, Kenyatta Johnson; for State Rep in the 190th, Vanessa Brown; for State Rep in the 198th, Byron Davis.

Club members could not agree on a candidate in the 184th State House Dist. Liberty City launched a petition drive there earlier this year to convince incumbent Bill Keller to join every other State House Democrat in Philadelphia as a co-sponsor of a bill to prevent workplace discrimination against LGBT Pennsylvanians.

"We did not feel comfortable recommending an endorsement of Rep. Keller because of how long it took for him to sign on as a co-sponsor to HB 1400 as compared to the rest of the local delegation," said Matthew Woodcock, Endorsement Committee chair. "However, as much as members liked his challenger, Christian DiCicco, because Keller did eventually bow to pressure on HB 1400, we feel he is someone we can work with in the future. So we chose to endorse neither candidate this year."

"Liberty City is one of the longest-running and largest independent political clubs in the city," said Rue Landau, co-chair. "We get out the vote for our endorsed candidates in Gayborhood bars, and in major downtown voting wards, and other parts of the city, with phone calls, mail and a pre-election lit drop."

Liberty City has a mailing list of over 10,000 LGBT community and members and allies in Southeastern Pennsylvania with an active membership of 300. The club has helped to elect Philadelphia's only out elected officials, Judges Ann Butchart and Dan Anders.

James Stays On Ballot

The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania dismissed a petition by the challenger, Kenyatta Johnson, to have incumbent Harold James removed from the ballot for State Representative for the 186th House Dist.

For the third time, Johnson urged the court to remove James from the ballot based on the testimony of 14 people who stated under oath they signed a petition for James; however the petition was circulated by someone other than James. That is against Election Commission regulations.

Each potential candidate needs 300 signatures to get on the ballot. James submitted 2,700 signatures. The court upheld a lower court ruling in James' favor. Judge Doris Smith-Ribner said in her resolution of the case, "The Court discerns no merit to the absolutist approach [of the challenge]. This approach effectively calls for striking approximately 2,700 signatures that Objectors have challenged, which the Court will not do."

"I am again confident in the court's decision," said James. "The voters deserve to have their voices heard and not have a candidate selected for them."
Johnson plans to appeal the decision, taking the case to court for yet a fourth time.

ADA Backs Dicker

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of Americans for Democratic Action voted to endorse Anne Dicker for Pennsylvania State Senate in the 1st Dist."I have known Anne for several years and have always been consistently impressed by her commitment to Progressive causes," said Jean Haskell, president of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Chapter of ADA. "Anne is a tireless organizer who has changed the political landscape in Philadelphia. We hope she can do the same in Harrisburg."

The National Board of Democracy for America has also endorsed Dicker.

As a community activist, Anne Dicker has been at the forefront of Pennsylvania's progressive movement. She co-founded Philly for Change, Neighbors Allied for the Best Riverfront, and Pennsylvania for Democracy. She has also served on the national board of Democracy for America. In 2005, Anne led a coalition to preserve Social Security and in 2006 successfully worked to raise the minimum wage in Pennsylvania.

Builders Pick Boyle

The Philadelphia Building Trades Council has voted unanimously to endorse Brendan Boyle for state representative from the 170th House Dist. The Building Trades Council includes about 30 of the biggest and most important unions in the city, including the Carpenters, Iron Workers, Sheet Metal Workers, Electricians, and Laborers. Some of the unions, such as the Sprinklerfitters and Steamfitters, are located in the district.

“We believe Brendan Boyle will be a fighter and leader for working and middle-class families,” said Joseph Dougherty, business manager of Iron Workers Local 401, and member of the Building Trades Council. “The fact the Building Trades unanimously endorsed Brendan shows how strongly we support him. Brendan has earned a reputation for being very smart and for being a real worker. So we’re proud to endorse him.”

“I am proud to have the unanimous endorsement of the Building Trades,” said Boyle. “It’s just another sign of the strength of our campaign.”