ELEPHANT CORNER: How Will Taylor Handle Nutter’s Woes?

W. PHILA. Republicans gathered at Cavanaugh’s in University City for annual spring reception. Hosting were, from left, were Ward Leaders Matt Wolfe and Andrew Gentsch (who coaches at University City HS), sharing a moment with Boys Latin of Phila. Charter School CEO David Hardy.

The increasing number of news articles and op-eds criticizing MAYOR MICHAEL NUTTER’S performance begs the question, will the newly reorganized Republican City Committee under the leadership of STATE REP. JOHN TAYLOR and EXECUTIVE DIR. JOE DeFELICE, offer a credible and well-funded Republican candidate for Mayor? Time will tell.

In the meantime, eyes are on the Republican City Committee to see if it makes any serious effort to support its two citywide candidates, TERRY TRACY (for Controller) and DANNY ALVAREZ (for District Attorney). The RCC is holding its first unified fundraiser tonight from 6 to 9 p.m. at The Phoenix, 1600 Arch Street. Minimum contribution is $250. Rumor has it that former BAIL COMMISSIONER TIM O’BRIEN has been asked to play a key role in raising funds for the near penniless organization.

If funds are going to be forthcoming, this elephant credits the hard and often-thankless work of Republican officeholders John Taylor, BRIAN O’NEILL, DENNY O’BRIEN, DAVID OH and AL SCHMIDT. Councilman Oh and Commissioner Schmidt have been in the news continuously since being sworn in.

Last Saturday the United Republican Club was the site of yet another party. MIKE BARKOVICH was the ringleader in organizing a watching of the Belmont Stakes. The room was packed with members of the herd including United Republican Club PRESIDENT TOM McCANN, WARD LEADER MATT WOLFE and Republican activist DUNCAN GROVE.

Last Wednesday, the Keystone Club went to Washington. The club, a fundraising arm of the Pennsylvania Republican Party, met with the Pennsylvania Republican legislative delegation to Washington (with the exception of CONGRESSMAN BILL SHUSTER, who was in an important committee meeting). Philadelphia-area Republicans who travelled down to Washington included Chester Co. SHERIFF CAROLINE “BUNNY” WELCH, Philadelphia WARD LEADER MIKE CIBIK, Montgomery Co. Jury Commissioner candidate MERRY WOOD and Philadelphia activist DENISE FUREY.

SEN. PAT TOOMEY discussed his frustrations in trying to get Health & Human Resources SECRETARY KATHLEEN SEBELIUS to revise an arbitrary rule that prevents children from receiving organ donations from adults. Toomey’s concern was for 10-year-old SARAH MURNAGHAN of Delaware Co., who has cystic fibrosis and is not expected to live more than some weeks without a lung. Her doctors at Children’s Hospital are certain she will do well with an adult lung. Waiting for a child’s lung is not an option as they are rare. Toomey believes that a patient’s doctor should make the determination about the suitability of the donor organ. Sebelius finally relented in Murnaghan’s case but Toomey wants the rule changed for all changed for all children patients.

Last week, the news reported David Oh scored a victory when Council overrode the Mayor’s veto of his bill which appropriated $66 million from the City’s $148 million positive fund balance to pay the undisputed amount owed to Philadelphia’s firefighters and paramedics. Although unreported, as are most Republican Council efforts, Brian O’Neill’s bill to protect seniors from increased property taxes under AVI was passed into law. It’s the activities of Republican legislators that impact the lives of residents and businesses that give Philadelphian’s reason to register and vote Republican.

On Monday, New Jersey ATTORNEY GENERAL JEFFERY CHIESA was sworn in as US Senator replacing the recently deceased FRANK LAUTENBERG. Chiesa was appointed by Gov. Chris Christie as an interim Senator until a general election can be held in October. Chiesa has never held elected office and calls himself a conservative Republican. No one expects Chiesa to run for the seat in October; however he may have the opportunity to vote on some important bills, including immigration reform.

Primaries for the position will be held in September. To date, no serious Republican candidates have thrown their hats in for the October election. On the Democratic side, Newark MAYOR CORY BOOKER and CONGRESSMEN RICH HOLT and FRANK PALLONE as well as State Assembly SPEAKER SHEILA OLIVER are interested.

In a general election, the last Democrat that the herd wants to see is Booker, as he would be attractive to moderates and independents. However, do not overestimate Democrats in New Jersey any more than we do on the west side of the Delaware River. I would not be surprised to see the party work to get Pallone elected. This could make it easier for a prominent Republican such as THOMAS KEAN, JR. (if he decides to run) to win even in this very-blue state.

Last week, ELLA BUTCHER, executive director of the New Majority Council and candidate for Traffic Court, held a fundraiser at the United Republican Club. Butcher and WARD LEADER CHRIS VOGLER are the two Republican candidates for the three open positions on Traffic Court. The event was a success. Attendees included her boss Montgomery Co. Republican activist and political commentator RENEE AMOORE. Butcher may be facing an uphill battle for Traffic Court in November, as I would expect the three winners of the Democratic Primary to prevail. However, the future of Traffic Court is in serious doubt. The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a bill to dissolve Traffic Court. The bill is expected to be passed by the Senate and signed by GOV. TOM CORBETT. Hopefully, Traffic Court will be dissolved before the November election.

   Send article as PDF