Pols On The Street: Brady’s Team Does It Again!

by Joe Shaheeli

HONOREE of evening at National Organization for Women Spring Awards at Asian Arts Initiative was Councilwoman Marian Tasco, right, who was congratulated by .Democratic mayoral candidate Jim Kenney as well as Patrice Banks and Yolanda Keels-Walker of Girls Auto Clinic.

No matter what was predicted by the main media, television pundits, especially self-proclaimed experts and political consultants, the Philadelphia Democratic Executive Committee, under the leadership of its longest-reigning chairman Congressman Bob Brady, wiped out most of the high-spending independent candidates who challenged its endorsed ticket.

According to primary results the members of the Democratic Executive Committee, its ward leaders, brought in 14 of the 15 judges on its endorsed slate. All of its endorsed row-office candidates won, including the hotly contested City Commissioners’ race with six running, as well as the endorsed candidate in the 2nd Dist. Its three endorsed candidates for Municipal Court won out of a field of eight.

Breaking through the Common Pleas ticket, knocking off Judge Vincent Melchiorre, was Rainy Papademetriou, a fierce contender who made good use of the Philadelphia Public Record, which is mailed to every committee person and ward leader of both major parties, with a serious advertising campaign. So did Judge Melchiorre, but he could not overcome his bad ballot position. Look for him to be given a well-deserved appointment by Gov. Tom Wolf when his present term expires.

Despite the fact a great deal of money was expended on behalf of non-endorsed candidates in the at-large council races where 16 vied for the five slots, Democratic ward leaders and their committee people salvaged two, a remarkable achievement when one considers their ballot placements and the fact, for the first time in the history of this ancient municipal legislative body, millions of dollars were expended on behalf of the three who won: Allan Domb, Derek Green and Helen Gym. The major obstacle for the losers was super-bad ballot positions. Wilson Goode occupied the last place on the ballot and Ed Neilson, was fourth from the bottom. Endorsed, but losing, was Sherrie Cohen, whose base was the gay community.

Those quick to say this was a fluke that can’t happen again, don’t understand politics. Check into the 2013 primary and you find City Committee delivered 10 of the 11 it had endorsed for Common Pleas Court.

To his credit, Green fully understood the importance of ward leaders and succeeded in getting the support of at least half of them. His campaign was well funded and meticulously planned in advance, winning endorsements and funding from major PACs. His long track record as a key City Council aide earned him the loyalty of his boss 9th Dist. Councilwoman Marian Tasco as well as her colleagues Cindy Bass in the 8th, Darrell Clarke in the 5th, Kenyatta Johnson in the 2nd and Blondell Reynolds Brown at large. He dominated North Philadelphia but ran well among the business and educational communities as well as bluecollar Northeast Philadelphia.

Drawing the number-one ballot position certainly helped Green lead the at-large ticket, but he likely would have won the nomination even if he had drawn the last place.

The power of the Democratic Party in the City Commissioners’ race, contested by six highly visible candidates, was felt as it easily delivered Chairman Anthony Clark and Lisa Deeley. A detailed analysis of that race is posted on this website.

For sure, endorsed and unendorsed candidates who used this newspaper to promote their candidacies did well. Ask them! They knew it was far cheaper to reach the 8,000 members of the executive committee of both parties by advertising in this newspaper than any of the other means available to them.

PHILLY’S own Lt. Gov. Mike Stack hosted lavish fundraiser at Cuba Libre. Joining him in this shot, from left, were Ward Leader Dan Muroff, Rev. Bonnie Camarda, Stack and Joanna Alfaro Cruz.

An important lesson to be learned for lawyers planning to run for judgeships is to understand the primary fact of their need to develop relations with the Democratic Party, its chairman and its ward leaders. One of the principal ways is for them to devote some time representing pro bono where and when needed for constituents brought to the attention of Democratic City Committee by its ward leaders, who in effect are the civic leaders of their communities. Putting in spare time through the year is more helpful in winning an endorsement. Ask those who followed that route and won.

Among citywide candidates, it is obvious Sheriff Jewell Williams is highly respected by the voters since he received more votes than any other candidate in the citywide race.

With 98.1% of precincts reported, Sheriff Williams collected 133,547 votes. Though uncontested in the primary, the Sheriff will spend the campaign season visiting senior centers, participating in candidates’ forums and sharing with as many voters as possible the improvements and accessibility he has made in his office under his tenure in the areas of modernization, efficiency, transparency and fairness.

Examples he will cite range from a new web app that puts Sheriff’s Sale real-estate information at residents’ fingertips, to the refunding of more than $5 million to former Sheriff Sale property-owners who overpaid fees on foreclosures. Williams said that his goal is for all voters to view his office as a productive and continuously improving one in an increasingly progressive and internationally recognized city.

Williams also pointed to the April apprehension by Sheriff’s deputies of a fugitive wanted by the FBI in two armed bank robberies as proof of his highly trained law-enforcement division.

Following Jewell Williams’ top-placed showing of 133,547 votes is popular Register of Wills Ronald Donatucci, with 132,271 in the uncontested Register of Wills Democratic primary, and Jim Kenney, with 128,398 votes in the heavily contested mayoral Democratic race.

For top vote-getters among local officials in a statewide office, Philadelphia Judge Kevin Dougherty pulled in 139,738 votes for Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice, followed by Alice Beck Dubow, with 134,994 votes for Pennsylvania Superior Court.

As we predicted, 27% came in the middle of our 25 to 30% voter-projection turnout. This is one of the reasons we are disrespected as a city having political clout in statewide races.

And though they ignored our value as a way to get their message across, we acknowledge 3.0’s post-election release:

“Philadelphia 3.0 – the first political organization of its kind in the city, launched just two months ago – successfully spent substantial resources on television, direct mail, and field to set the table for historic change in City Hall. This messaging campaign – the only significant issue advocacy in the race – presented compelling arguments against entrenched incumbency. This game-changing call for new blood catalyzed the largest turnover in City Council in almost four decades.

“The results are historic. Three challengers won Democratic at-large positions and two incumbents were swept off the ballot – the most dramatic shift in at-large races since 1979,” said Alison Perelman, 3.0’s executive director.

“Furthermore, only two of five candidates endorsed by the city’s Democratic Party emerged as winners. (Putting that success rate in context, the remaining 30 of the Democratic Party’s 31 endorsed candidates won their races.)

DON TIPPETT, Bob Barrilli, Councilman at Large David Oh and Bobby Yekov joined forces at Republican Pre-Election gala. Photo by Maria Merlino

“Three of Philadelphia 3.0’s six endorsed candidates were victorious. Democratic at-large candidate Derek Green won a seat with the highest vote total in the race. Maria Quiñones Sánchez defeated the party’s challenger in a very-close election in the 7th Dist. Terry Tracy won and was the highest vote-getter among Republican at large challengers. Additionally, Isaiah Thomas remains in contention for the fifth and final Democratic at-large seat.

“Voters responded decisively to the issues articulated by Philadelphia 3.0, namely that City Council is not a lifetime appointment. The response by Philadelphians to the organization’s call for change in Council is evident in the voting results. In the 2007 open mayoral election, the five Democratic at-large incumbents received a combined 47% of the vote. This year, the Democratic Party’s endorsed slate (four of whom were incumbents) only received 38% of the vote, a seismic shift in favor of new voices in Council.

“Philadelphia 3.0’s endorsement was one of the most sought-after this election cycle. It provided the opportunity for accomplished but non-traditional candidates to compete against the city’s political powers. We congratulate the six candidates who earned our endorsement: Maria Quiñones Sánchez, Derek Green, Paul Steinke, Isaiah Thomas, Tom Wyatt, and Terry Tracy. Philadelphia 3.0 also congratulates new Democratic at-large Council Members Allan Domb and Helen Gym on their successful campaigns.

“Having established itself as a political player in the city, Philadelphia 3.0 now takes the next step: advocating for its candidates in the General Election and beginning a Charter change petition initiative to require that City Council consider the question of term limits.”

The PAC also endorsed Republican at-large candidate Terry Tracy, who will be on the Republican ballot in the general election.

Kenney Is Quick To Say Thanks

Democratic Mayoral nominee Jim Kenney sent out a thank-you via the internet saying, “As I traveled around the city, a lot of people came up to me to say, ‘I voted for you, don’t let me down.’ I know you’ve put your faith in me, and I have a lot to live up to.

“I am honored and forever humbled by the broad coalition of support that made me your Democratic nominee for Mayor. Even though we were outspent 3 to 1 on television, we were able to prove our voices — the voices of teachers, families, and hard-working people all across Philadelphia — matter more than three billionaires.

“Together, I know we can achieve even greater things.”

Rep. Parker Returns To City Council

Back from where she started is State Rep. Cherelle Parker (D-Northwest). She won the Democratic nomination for City Council’s 9th Dist. She’s been tutored well by the grand lady she is expected to replace, retiring Councilwoman Marian Tasco. Parker was first elected to the House in 2005 and serves as the chair of the Philadelphia delegation for her caucus. She began her political career, however, as a City Council aide. She faces Republican Kevin Strickland in November and, if she wins, there’s potential for another special House election in 2016. Who’s in line?

When We Guess Wrong On Page One

We thought we were on the money with our last week’s front page headline “Coming In On A Wing And A Prayer”. We should have added “….Is Williams Campaign”. Telling us we were wrong was restaurateur Sid Booker, whose shrimp palace at Broad & Belfield early in the campaign was plastered with huge Kenney for Mayor signs, put up by Sid.

Before we call another election, we know now to first check it out with Booker.

Another One For Johnny Doc!

Kudos to John Dougherty who put the whole Ken Trujillo campaign team into Kenney’s lap as an inducement to get him to run. Doc’s a big winner, with his only casualty being Councilman at Large Ed Neilson. Kudos also for Jane Slusser, who oversaw the Kenney campaign team like a mother hen.

Wolf, State Employees Ink One-Year Contract

Last Tuesday the Wolf administration announced the ratification of one-year labor agreements with members of the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees Council 13 and with the United Food and Commercial Workers.

AFSCME’s contract covers about 41,000 workers in state agencies, and the UFCW contract covers about 3,500 retail employees in the state wine and liquor stores. The contracts include a 2.25% step increase for employees who have at least one year of continuous service by January 2016.

3 Casey Endorsees Of 5 Won Primary
US Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.) went three-for-five in his appellate-court endorsements. He backed Philadelphia Judge Alice Beck Dubow, who was nominated for Superior Court, and in the Supreme Court race he supported Philadelphia Judge Kevin Dougherty and Superior Court Judge David Wecht. Casey’s third Supreme Court pick, Superior Court Judge Anne Lazarus, failed to garner enough support, dropping behind Superior Court colleague Christine Donahue. Casey also endorsed Scranton labor lawyer Todd Eagen for Commonwealth Court, who lost to Pittsburgh lawyer Michael Wojcik.

Quiñones Sánchez Backs Union Effort

Councilwoman Maria Quiñones Sánchez, concerned over unionizing efforts at John B. Stetson Charter School and Olney Charter HS, said, “I am troubled by recent news concerning ongoing labor disputes at John B. Stetson Charter School and Olney Charter HS between ASPIRA and teachers seeking to unionize under the American Federation of Teachers. I support the right of all workers to organize without fear of intimidation or retaliation and call on ASPIRA to negotiate in good faith with these educators.

“As a former Executive Director of ASPIRA, I know firsthand the good this organization has done in Philadelphia and especially in the Seventh Councilmanic District. However, I am concerned by media reports ASPIRA has hired self-described ‘union-busters’ who are using inappropriate tactics in an effort to block educators from exercising their legal rights to organize at Olney Charter HS and at John B. Stetson Charter School. It is troubling the National Labor Relations Board felt the need to suspend a union election at Stetson in the face of allegations of unfair labor practices that included threats and intimidation on the part of ASPIRA. I am also concerned such tactics appear to be spreading to the Eugenio Maria Hostos Charter School.

“These tactics are neither appropriate nor in keeping with ASPIRA’s mission to serve the community. I call on all sides to proceed in a spirit of mutual respect for one another and for the law.”

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