Pols On The Street: What A Well Oiled Machine!

 by Joe Shaheeli

It was obvious as the returns rolled in Tuesday night, money talks, and it did so loudly drowning out the voices of those who thought they were in a campaign. Rolling in clover were Mayor-Elect Jim Kenney and Councilmen at Large-Elect Allan Domb, Derek Green, Bill Greenlee and Councilwomen at Large-Elect Blondell Reynolds Brown and ewlenHelen Gym. Statewide it was Supreme Court Democratic nominee Kevin Dougherty.

Blessed in the past with a good ballot position, Greenlee had to overcome a bad ballot position this year, which he did. His unfailing appearances throughout his tenure at events across the city and his close friendship with Council President Darrell Clarke bore fruit for him.

2nd Dist. Councilman Kenyatta Johnson put a lock on his seat, easily kicking back a serious effort by challenger Ori Feibush. Doing him in was the intensive effort to support Williams in the 36th Ward, making it easier for Johnson who was on the endorsed ticket.

Kenyatta Johnson… securing his 2nd district seat.

In the 7th Dist., Councilwoman Maria Quiñones Sánchez bested the best thrown at her from a united and determined group of Latino ward leaders backing Manny Morales. Though she won, it was too close for her to close for her to relax. She needs to make peace with the group. If she does, she locks up her set. If she doesn’t, she will face another term of discontent and continuing challenges to her incumbency.

Councilman Ed Neilson saw the problem besetting his effort to return to Council when he toured polling places to discover no ballots were being handed out. With the election of State Rep. John Sabatina, Jr., he could well be returning to his old legislative seat, but possibly with some opposition. Councilman Wilson Goode has an impressive résumé, which can serve him well if he decides he has had enough as a public servant.

Allan Domb ran a strong media campaign. He becomes the first fulltime businessman to become a Councilman in almost a score of years. Helen Gym will need to expand her vista past education issues when she runs for reelection, though it was the support she garnered as a public-school advocate that brought her in. Derek Green will carry the banner of Councilwoman Marian Tasco, having being tutored by her. He knows the ropes in City Council as well as any incumbent.

We thought we were wise with our last week’s front page headline “Coming In On A Wing And A Prayer”. We should have added “….Is Williams campaign.  Kudos to John Dougherty who put the  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 Ed Neilson.

Rep. Sabatina, Now A Senator

Democrat John Sabatina, Jr. was announced the winner early in the special election for State Senate in the 5th Senatorial Dist. to replace Lt. Gov. Mike Stack.

Sabatina stated, “I would like to thank my family for all of their love and support. I want to especially thank my wife Eileen and daughter Caroline for their love and support. Without them by my side, this victory would not have been possible.”

The Senator-­ also discussed his legislative priorities. He stated, “As your State Senator, I will fight for Philadelphia’s families by leading the charge to raise the minimum wage, fighting to fully fund our schools, and continue to protect our seniors.”

Sabatina continued, “To all the volunteers and members of organized labor who supported me during this race, thank you for dedicating your time and hard work.  To the people of the 174th Legislative Dist., it has been an honor to serve you as your State Representative and I look forward to continue serving you as your State Senator.”

DEMOCRAT John Sabatina, Jr. cozies up with mayoral candidate Lynne Abraham.

What happens now to his vacating seat is anybody’s guess.

Republicans Back At-Large Incumbents

A hotly contested, do-or-die struggle between seven Republicans for five slots on the City Council at Large ballot ended with the two incumbent Republicans, David Oh and Denny O’Brien in the one-two position on the fall ballot.

There had been much talk of discontent these incumbents were insufficiently in tune with Republican policies and ideas. Evidently that discontent did not include the Republican voters of Philadelphia.

Among the challengers, Center City businessman Terry Tracy finished a strong third. Northeast activists Dan Tinney and Al Taubenberger came in fourth and fifth respectively.

Educator-coach James Williams and West Philadelphia Ward Leader Matt Wolfe wound up out of the running. Although Wolfe drew positive endorsements and a lot of press attention, his number-seven ballot position proved fatal.

Both State Party Chairmen Laud Slate

“The Democratic Party has chosen its candidates,” said Pennsylvania Democratic Party Chair Jim Burn. “Our members are ready to support our candidates in full force this November. The diversity of our party makes it an inevitability that we will have contested primaries. That is what makes our party so special and so strong. The real battle is always in November. With three Supreme Court judicial seats at stake in the fall, this year will be crucial in the makeup of the Court.”

Burn continued, “With candidates such as David Wecht, Christine Donohue and Kevin Dougherty, we know we can mobilize our base and appeal to independents in the fall to win the November elections.”

Last night the Pennsylvania GOP Supreme Court candidates Judge Anne Covey, Judge Mike George, and Judge Judy Olson and Commonwealth Court candidate Paul Lalley lost no time in revving up an enthusiastic crowd of supporters at the Chester County GOP Spring Candidates Reception at the Red Clay Room, in Kennett Square. Chairman Rob Gleason believes this team will take control of the State Supreme Court.

Toomey Needs To Keep Pushing

US Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) continues to hold a healthy lead over possible Democratic challengers. Speaking of polls, it could be argued Toomey got the best news of all.

Harper found the incumbent with a 21-point lead over his 2010 opponent (and early 2016 front-runner) Joe Sestak. Now the Senator just has to keep that advantage, although that’s easier said than done.

Endorsed Commissioner Candidates Romp Home

City Commission Chair Anthony Clark put a firm end to rumors of revolt with a crushing 74,681 votes, easily outpacing his five rivals for two seats on the Democratic City Commissioner ballot. His endorsed ticket-mate Lisa Deeley, indefatigably pushed by her mother former Sheriff Barb Deeley, came in almost 10,000 votes ahead of her closest competitor, Ward Leader Carol Jenkins, who scored impressively despite weak funding and organization support. Top-drawer endorsements and quiet backing helped Jenkins.

Omar Sabir, an aide to State Sen. Vincent Hughes (D-W. Phila.) who is part of the Laborers’ Union’s political elite, came in fourth. Young and energetic, he is well known and undoubtedly has a bright future in some other political race in the near future.

No matter what is said about Tracey Gordon, she was indeed a strong grassroots campaigner. The former deputy in former City Commissioner Stephanie Singer’s office, she was let go by the Commissioner who, it seems now, should have listened to Gordon more. Dead broke, she worked social media and asked her voters to call 10 friends to be a supporter, 25 votes to be a good supporter and so on. Expect to hear more from her.

Will Mega, who also ran a social-media-based campaign, won 20,000 votes.

Note the four losing candidates all came from West Philadelphia. Had they combined behind one of their number, that person might have wound up on the ballot.

Back On Hill, Wolf Moves On

Gov. Tom Wolf experienced a number of milestones, signing four pieces of legislation and having nine of his cabinet members confirmed. Additionally, a new Harper poll found his favorability ratings above water, a rare occurrence for politicians nowadays.

Finally, his nominee for Police Commissioner Marcus Brown was cleared of all charges after a bizarre sign-removing episode. Gov. Wolf should have some much-needed momentum as we head towards the summer budget fight.

They Weathered The Storm

With more than 98% of precincts reporting, 12 Common Pleas Court candidates appear to have won nominations for judgeships. They were led by the esteemed Ken Powell, who had won 53,620 votes.

Following him were Kai Scott, 51,888; Tracy Roman, 50,971; Abbe Fletman, 46,493; Mia Roberts Perez, 42,748; Lyris Younge, 40,785; Rainy Papademetriou, 39,760; Scott DiClaudio, 39,613; Daine Grey, Jr., 38,127; Chris Mallios, 34,386; Stephanie Sawyer, 33,166; and Michael Fanning, 33,261.

Best of luck next time to the other candidates. Jennifer Schultz just missed with 32,775 votes; many other worthy potential solons came in short but will doubtless be heard from again in two years’ time.

For Municipal Court, the three Democratic Party-endorsed candidates – Sharon Williams-Losier, Joffie Pittman and Christine Hope – won in a landslide.

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