POLS ON THE STREET: Labor Day Parade Attracts Suburban Pols

BY JOE SHAHEELI/ As expected, candidates were seen everywhere at the annual AFL-CIO Labor Day Parade and Family Fund Festival along Columbus Boulevard. Some were under umbrellas, others were drenched, but all waited through the drenching rains to be introduced to the thousands of unionists and their families gathered.

Not worried about the rain was Marjorie Margolies, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for13th Congressional Dist. She didn’t mind the rain or being without an umbrella, basking in a recent poll which gave her a wide lead in that race. We know such polls do change as other candidates go public and begin advertising. For now, it was a sunny morning. Her own poll shows Margolies at 43%, followed by State Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Northeast) at 15%, State Sen. Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery) at 7% and physician Dr. Valerie Arkoosh at 2%. 31% were undecided.

Boyle came prepared with a phalanx of campaign workers, all wearing Brendan Boyle for Congress shirts and a sizeable umbrella. Margolies needs to beware a competitor who comes well equipped to a campaign.

Democrats from Montgomery and Delaware Cos. showed up to lend their support as well as to keep themselves on the radar screen. These included Commissioner Joshua Shapiro and, from Delaware, Controller David Boonin and Common Pleas Judge Nancy Walker.

Adding beauty to the parade were some of our Democratic judicial candidates. We didn’t spot any of the males in this category.

Not in the parade, but on the Governor’s front, as expected, State Treasurer Rob McCord is making moves he will announce for that office in the Democrat primary. His hiring of veteran political hand Sadie Sterner-Restivo is a telling sign.

BRAD KOPLINSKI COVERS PA. COUNTIES

With his visit to the GDS Fair in Newfoundland, Wayne Co., last Thursday evening, Harrisburg Councilman Brad Koplinski became the first statewide candidate running for any office in 2014 to visit and campaign in all 67 counties. He’s the only candidate for Lieutenant Governor to do so this early in the campaign.

Brad is expected in Philadelphia tomorrow and will use the weekend to meet up with as many leaders as possible. He’ll be visiting the Public Record soon after his arrival.
Since announcing his campaign in February, Koplinski has driven over 18,000 miles, eaten at diners in every corner of the state and listened to voters in places small and large. “It is exciting to see all of the great places and talk to the wonderful people that make our Commonwealth so special,” Koplinski said.

Koplinski also said, “Every county and every voter in Pennsylvania is important. The negative effects of the Corbett Administration are being felt from Adams Co. to Wyoming Co., and everyone in between. From small towns and big cities, the lives of Pennsylvanians are harder because of cuts to education, the failure to create more jobs and protect our natural resources and insensitivity to making sure the constitutional rights of all of our citizens are protected. I have been listening to them and they are telling me that we need a change in Harrisburg.”
Koplinski wants to turn the Local Government Advisory Committee, which the Lieutenant Governor chairs, into a conduit to listen to and better assist municipalities during financial difficulties and take action to help before they get in trouble.

With nearly nine months to go before the 2014 primary election, Koplinski will continue to travel the state and will visit each county again. “It is important for the voters to know that they are being heard,” he insisted. “The best way I know how to do that is to go to them. I will continue to work hard to show Democrats and all voters that I am listening to them and would bring their ideas and needs to the State Capital with me.”

Councilman Koplinski has worked for former Sen. Arlen Specter, former Senator and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and former Auditor General Jack Wagner.

COUNCILWOMAN KRAJEWSKI ENDS HER LONG ‘RACE’

Sixth Dist. Councilwoman Joan Krajewski has died at the age of 79, leaving the District she served from 1980 to 2012 a much better place thanks to her service. Councilman Bobby Henon, her successor, recalled Krajewski as a staunch defender of Northeast Philadelphia and a supportive colleague. Henon said, “Her feisty nature and sharp political acumen made her equal parts legendary and approachable as a political leader in the Northeast.”

State Sen. Christine M. Tartaglione (D-Kensington) recalled Joan “as a tireless servant, advocate and a legendary public official who left a legacy few Philadelphians can match. To me, she was a dear friend and mentor, my first boss and a role model. She set the standard for public service, took challenges head-on and spoke from the heart.

“In an era of pollsters and focus groups, her blunt honesty and direct approach made her the embodiment of passion for which Philadelphians are widely known. Although she has passed, her influence lives on in the many public servants, city employees and local politicians she inspired over her decades of service. Philadelphia will miss her much. I will miss her more.”

Congressman and Party Chairman Bob Brady added, “She will be missed. You shook her hand and her word was gold. She was one of our giants and will be mourned.”

State Sen. Mike Stack (D-Northeast) noted, “For 32 years, Joan represented the residents of Philadelphia and the city’s 6th Councilmanic Dist. with dignity, concern and passion.”