CITY HALL SAM: Doc Gives Tom Wolf A Six-Figure Kiss

Many Philly big shots showed up at a JOHN DOUGHERTY fundraising event for TOM WOLF recently. At the event the Local 98 Leader handed the gubernatorial frontrunner a $100,000 check. On stage with Wolf was City Democratic Chairman CONGRESSMAN BOB BRADY.

Also attending the fundraiser to support the ticket were COUNCILMEN JIM KENNEY, MARK SQUILLA and EDDIE NEILSON, COUNCIL PRESIDENT DARRELL CLARKE and COUNCILWOMEN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN and JANNIE BLACKWELL. STATE REP. KEVIN BOYLE was there to support the event along with his brother Congressman-to-be BRENDAN BOYLE.

Among the labor leaders in attendance were FRANK SNYDER, BOISE BUTLER and PAT EIDING. A number of ward leaders also were in attendance including BOB DELLAVELLA, MATT MYERS and SHAWN DILLON.

Ward Leader and COUNCILMAN AT LARGE BILL GREENLEE had a great conversation with City CONTROLLER ALAN BUTKOVITZ, presumably about a mayoral run. Butkovitz has reportedly been calling everyone for both money and support. The field is so crowded at this point in time that anyone could win.

The fact so many candidates are actively campaigning for Mayor at the present time shows politicians perceive Tom Wolf and MIKE STACK as a shoo-in. But this is dangerous thinking. Democrats are never safe putting the cart before the horse. The turnout in Philadelphia will be crucial.

Conservative talk show host DOM GIORDANO was in Northeast Philadelphia to broadcast his show at the Mayfair diner.

Delaware Co. STATE SEN. DOMINIC PILEGGI is a Republican and the majority leader. He actually gets it with regard to investment in Philadelphia, which puts him in opposition to many of those in his party and it is caucus. Among his chief rivals is newly elected STATE SEN. SCOTT WAGNER. Wagner recently sent a letter to the Republican caucus insulting and demeaning Pileggi for being out of touch with Republican values. This is the equivalent of declaring war on his leader.

Such a contest In the Republican caucus will hinge on who wins the Senate seat currently held by TED ERICKSON. The death match is currently underway between Democrat and union leader JOHN KANE versus former COUNCILMAN TOM McGARRIGLE, the Republican. The amount of campaign cash to be spent is likely in the millions, but that is small change compared to the amount of power involved with regard to who is majority leader.

On the other hand, the Democrats stand a reasonably good chance of capturing the majority or at least a tie if Kane can win. The Democrats would need probably one more lucky break in another race to get to a tie. If the stars align for that scenario, the tie-breaking vote to put the Democrats in charge would go to Lieutenant Governor-elect Mike Stack. But once again, that’s putting the cart before the horse.