CITY HALL SAM: Dems Carry Big Stick In Montco; Honoring Harris Wofford

The collar counties of Philadelphia continue to increase Democratic voter clout. Only a decade ago, Montgomery Co. was still essentially Republican. But over the last several election cycles it has become overwhelmingly Democratic.

The Montgomery Co. Democratic Party has become more formidable. At a recent fundraiser at the Doubletree Hotel in Plymouth Meeting, a packed house gathered to support Democrats TOM WOLF for Governor and MIKE STACK for Lieutenant Governor. CHAIRMAN MARCEL GROEN was visibly delighted with the overflow crowd. Among the notable speakers were Montco COMMISSIONERS LESLIE RICHARDS and JOSH SHAPIRO.

Wolf continues to tailor his message appropriately and rally the troops. Wolf has demonstrated he can not only raise money and run excellent commercials but can also be effective in the grassroots personal aspects of politics.

Also in attendance was STATE REP. MARY JO DAILEY and STATE SEN. DAYLIN LEACH. ART HAYWOOD is a candidate and likely winner to succeed LeANNA WASHINGTON in the state Senate. He worked the crowd enthusiastically.

Also on hand were former STATE SEN. BOB ROVNER and his brother HOWARD. Bob introduced State Sen. Mike Stack at the Pennsylvania State Committee gathering in Philadelphia. State Committee assembled for its quarterly meeting at the Sheraton City Center Hotel to promote Philadelphia for the Democratic convention of 2016. STATE SEN. ANTHONY WILLIAMS helped warm up the crowd. Party CHAIRMAN JIM BURN handled the dinner agenda professionally, but has declined in popularity in Democratic Party circles. Essentially Burn should’ve stepped aside for KATIE McGINTY when Wolf attempted to replace him. So although Burn is generally still liked, his stock has dropped substantially among Democratic Party stalwarts.

Speaking of Democratic stalwarts, Philadelphia Party CHAIRMAN BOB BRADY greeted some of the members at the pre-dinner cocktail party. Also on hand were former City CONTROLLER JONATHAN SAIDEL and STATE TREASURER ROB McCORD. There were a number of labor leaders on hand, including always-reliable AFSCME leader DAVE FILMAN and KENNY WASHINGTON of the Laborers. JUDGE FAYE STACK attended the dinner along with her daughter-in-law TONYA STACK. Both of them supported Lieutenant Governor nominee Mike Stack, who was the keynote speaker.

Stack also presented a lifetime achievement award to former US SEN. HARRIS WOFFORD. Wofford received a standing ovation for all his service to America and the Democratic Party. He was a cofounder of the Peace Corps and an adviser to PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY. His son DAN WOFFORD supported his dad as his aide de camp. Wofford the son is also a previous congressional candidate.

Harris Wofford is an interesting character in Democratic circles. He was considered a high-minded liberal yet he was close to GOV. BOB CASEY. Casey was much more of a brass-knuckle politician and asked Wofford to head up the Democratic State Committee. By all accounts, Wofford handled the unlikely mission well.

Later he was Casey’s hand-picked candidate to take on DICK THORNBURGH for the US Senate. Wofford overcame a 43-point deficit to overwhelm Thornburgh. In his next race, Wofford was defeated by a scorched-earth RICK SANTORUM candidacy.

Walker was honored at the White House by PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA for his service to AmeriCorps.