POLS ON THE STREET: Will Voters Follow Their Leaders?

by Joe Shaheeli

N.W. DEMOCRATIC Ward Leaders endorsed Jim Kenney for Mayor at breakfast in Relish restaurant in W. Oak Lane bringing him sizeable number of votes in primary, provided voters follow them.

The political muscle of ward leaders and union leaders will be truly tested, for the first time in recent memory. At the end of this mayoral campaign, their efforts will be watched to see how well they did in getting their rank and file to follow their endorsements on May 19.

By the beginning of this week’s statistics on the mayoral race, it has become clear there are two fron runners: State Sen. Anthony Williams and former Councilman at Large Jim Kenney. Underlining that fact were union and ward leaders’ endorsements for the two.

Williams has the declared support of the Laborers’ District Council 332, the Metropolitan Regional Council of Carpenters, Transport Workers’ Union Local 234, Sheet Metal Workers’ Union Local 19, International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 107, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 542 and Laborers’ Local 332.

Kenney, though late starting his campaign, has the obvious support of ward and union leader John Dougherty, whose hand was evident in delivering to Kenney his union’s endorsement, as well as campaigning successfully for Kenny with a majority of locals of the AFL-CIO Council, with FOP Lodge 5, IAFF Local 22, PFT, and AFSCME DC 33 and 47.

If all the rank and file voted the way their union’s endorsements directed, Kenney would have a decided edge.

Since the Democratic City Committee has not endorsed either for Mayor, its ward leaders are free to push for any of the candidates running for that office.

This past Monday, some Philadelphia City Council Members, one labor group, and one progressive political community organization fell in line behind Kenney.

A coalition of Northwest Ward leaders encompassing Oak Lane, East and West, led by 9th Dist. Councilwoman Marian Tasco, rallied and committed their support to Kenney. Leaders present included State Reps. Dwight Evans, Stephen Kinsey and Cherelle Parker and 8th Dist. Councilwoman Cindy Bass, as well as Ward Leaders Al Stewart and Donna Aument. Included are high primary production wards, especially Wards 10 and 50. Unite Here, representing some airport employees, also jumped to Kenney’s side.

FRIENDS of Curtis Jones, Jr. hosted “Don’t Be Fooled: Meet the Candidates Night” at Calabash Restaurant, 6208 Lancaster Avenue on April Fools Day. It was no joke for these judicial candidates who included, from left, Jennifer Schultz, supervising attorney, Community Legal Services; Stella Tsai, partner, Archer & Greiner, PC; Shanese Johnson of Shanese I. Johnson & Associates, PC; Jones; Rania Major of Rania Major, PC, Christian DiCicco of Legal Offices of Christian A. DiCicco; and Matthew Perks, Assistant District Attorney.

They represent an area with a history of heavy primary turnouts in municipal elections, with an overwhelming preponderance of African American voters. Voting patterns in past elections produced heavy turnouts for challengers or incumbents of African heritage when the opponent is of Caucasian descent.

Will they remain true to past voting patterns, or this time vote in big numbers for Kenney over Williams, whose family history is embedded in the civil-rights movement?

The question recurs for both groups: Can they break the long trend of voting by race by whites and blacks and Latinos be broken?

Ward leaders believe they can, though their primary turnouts have been dismal at best. Rep. Dwight Evans, at the endorsement for Kenney said No one knew Gov. Tom Wolf when he appeared before this political group, whose endorsement got the Wolf campaign into third gear. He predicts the same for Kenney.

Will Endorsements Carry Some To Council?

Isaiah Thomas has been battling for a seat at the Council table for the last four years, since he lost by a scant margin. Much of his effort has been on the web and social media.

Nevertheless he has gotten substantial endorsements from 7th Dist. Councilwoman Maria Quiñones Sanchez and 4th Dist. Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr. and DC 47 as well as Congressman Brendan Boyle.

In the chaos to follow on election day, he might just get his wish.

COUNCILMAN Kenyatta Johnson announced at press conference Wednesday that CSX Transportation, owner of the 25th Street Viaduct in S. Phila., will begin a multi-year improvement project to restore the condition and appearance of the 1.2-mile-long bridge, which connects Port of Phila. and other freight customers to national freight rail network.

Statewide Ballot Positions Chosen

Ballot positions for the important statewide judicial primary races have been chosen.

One the Democratic ballot, the order of candidates for Supreme Court is – 1. David Wecht, 2. Christine Donohue, 3. Kevin Dougherty, 4. John Foradora, Anne Lazarus and 6. Dwayne Woodruff. On the Republican ballot, the order is – 1. Correale Stevens, 2. Anne Covey, 3. Rebecca Warren, 4. Mike George, 5. Cheryl Allen and 6. Judy Olson.

For Superior Court, the order of Democratic candidates is 1. Alice Dubow and 2. Robert Colville. There is only one Republican candidate on the primary ballot, Emil Giordano.

Democratic candidates for Commonwealth Court are 1. Todd Eagan and 2. Michael Wojcik. There is only one Republican candidate on the primary ballot, Paul Lalley.

Abraham Offers Plan For Philadelphia Schools

Lynne Abraham unveiled her Education Plan which calls for not only proper funding, but improving the education process.

Lynne supports Superintendent William Hite’s proposal to reorganize Philadelphia’s schools into four networks. The other mayoral candidates have not taken a stand on Hite’s reorganization plan. Lynne offers solutions to far reaching issues like infrastructure, school safety, charters.

CITY COMMISSIONER Al Schmidt was bowling strikes at North Bowl fundraiser, joined here by Council-at-Large candidate Matt Wolfe, Ella Butcher, Zenobia White and MyLisa Flowers.

Al Dia compared Jim Kenney’s campaign rhetoric on ethics to his past actions on the City Council. It found “there are some inconsistencies worth addressing between this latest policy and Kenney’s 23-year track record on City Council.

Wyatt Calls For Higher Wage For Airport Workers

Over 500 contracted wheelchair attendants, baggage handlers, and airplane cleaners at the Philadelphia International Airport began a strike to protest low wages and labor practices by their employers, Prospect Aviation Services and PrimeFlight Airlines Services.

“I stand with the members of SEIU 32BJ in their fight for a living wage. My first job out of high school was working for minimum wage at the local Burger King, and I know how hard it was to struggle to make ends meet. $7.25 is not enough,” said Tom Wyatt, candidate for City Council at-large.

While the airport makes approximately $14 billion annually, these workers typically make between $7.25-$9 an hour and have no access to affordable health benefits or sick days.

If they remember to vote, his chances increase he’ll make the general since his ballot position is number five.

Green Party To Meet Apr. 22

The Green Party of Philadelphia will hold its monthly meeting at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Apr. 22, at Cavanaugh’s Restaurant, 119 S. 39th Street, in University City. Voters who are tired of inaction by the two “corporate parties” will find this interesting. The meeting will be open to the public with no admission fee. For more information, please contact (215) 243-7103 and gpop@gpop.org.

MASSIVE was tribute to legendary Councilman at Large Bill Greenlee held at home of John O’Connell. Saluting Greenlee are Congressman Brendan Boyle, Montgomery County Commissioner Josh Shapiro and O’Connell. Photo by Joe Stivala

Terry Tracy Wins 3.0 PAC Endorsement

Terry Tracy was the only Republican Council At-Large candidate to receive the endorsement of Philadelphia 3.0, a group committed to bringing fresh faces and new, pro-growth ideas to City Council. The group chose Tracy over incumbents and challengers alike, including a former Speaker of the Pennsylvania House and head of the Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.

Tracy commented, “I believe our team’s energy on the ground combined with my background in job creation and commitment to reform helps to separate this campaign from the field. I was impressed by 3.0’s leadership team and substantive interview process.” He continued, “When you are asking for the opportunity to serve all Philadelphians, earning broad and diverse support is essential. We are on the right path.”

Judge Díaz Bemoans Kenney Comments

Mayoral candidate Nelson Díaz, responding to a report in the Daily News detailing outrageous statements made by Councilman Jim Kenney, said Kenney called for a criminal suspect to have his hand chopped off and bemoaned restrictions and oversight of police use of force. “At a time when the Dept. of Justice report detailing police use of force in our city is fresh in our minds, it was shocking to hear Jim Kenney complain about limitations on when officers can shoot or beat civilians, and demand that a suspect’s hand be cut off. These inflammatory and outrageous comments speak to the core values of someone who’d been in public office for the better part of a decade when he made them.”

Bush Slips In Florida, Stalls In Pennsylvania

BENSON PARK in Kensington South is receiving long-awaited rehab program, announced Councilwoman Maria Quiñones Sánchez. Shown at groundbreaking here at Friends of Benson Park’s Orlando Rosado-Bey and Jessica Noon, flanking Councilwoman and Deputy Mayor Michael DiBerardinis.

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush is the front-runner in a possible 2016 presidential primary in Florida, but he is slipping there and stalled in two other key swing states, Ohio and Pennsylvania, according to a Quinnipiac University Swing State Poll. Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker is moving up and U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas is back in the pack.

Despite the firestorm over her use of e-mails as secretary of state, Hillary Clinton holds commanding leads, with 48 to 65 percent of Democrats in each state, topping her nearest challenger by 3-1 to 6-1. The Swing State Poll focuses on Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania because since 1960 no candidate has won the presidential race without taking at least two of these three states.

If Clinton stays out of the race, Vice President Joseph Biden leads the Democratic pack in Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania, with tallies ranging from 34% to 42 percent.

Williams Gets North Philly GOP Support

James Williams, Republican candidate for City Council At-Large, has received the endorsement from several North Philadelphia Republican Wards. They are 10th Ward (West Oak Lane); 16th Ward (Allegheny); and 13th Ward (Nicetown), as well as the 47th and 29th Wards.

On Feb. 23, James received the endorsements of the 47th and 29th Wards, both located in North Philadelphia.

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