POLS ON THE STREET: Can Local GOP Score A Third?

by Joe Shaheeli
Philadelphia now has two of its House members on the Republican side of the aisle, a good thing since that chamber of the General Assembly is dominated by the GOP. Number two came with the election of Rep. Martina White in a hotly contested special election for the 170th District. Until she was sworn in, Philadelphia’s lone voice among Republican leadership was fortunately a leader himself, Rep. John Taylor.
With three Philadelphia Legislative Districts to be decided by special elections this August 11, the local GOP hope to see a possibility of one additional House member. Their reasoning is special elections draw little attention and the hugely large Democrat vote that would come out in a general election will not be there in the special election.
Though voters shy away in big numbers from special elections for any number of reasons, Democratic registrations still dominate those Districts. GOP registrations in all three districts are low, save for the 174th in the Northeast. Voters normally vote the way they are registered in most elections, the Specials being no exception.

STATE REP. Curtis Thomas honored elementary through high school students at Temple University on Thursday, July 16, for outstanding academic and scholastic achievements. Photo by Jean Donohue

Councilman Ed Nielson, saddled with a bad ballot position, lost his nomination for another term in City Council. He has received the unanimous endorsement of his Party to be its candidate for this election in the district he served as a State Legislator in the 174th. Though his Republican opponent Tim Dailey is well known in the district, the votes Neilson garnered in the primary make him a favorite. He’s also a hustler, marking the 4,000 door he knocked on campaigning last week.
Republican City Committee is pushing heavily on this race. Both Chairman Rep. John Taylor and RCC Ex. Dir. Joe DeFelice will hosting a cocktail party for Tim at its headquarters on Cottman Avenue July 29. See Calendar of events for details.
The 191st tells a different story. Democrat Joanna McClinton has the backing of Sen. Tony Williams and a strong set of active ward leaders behind her. Democratic registrations dwarf Republican registrations. Republican Charles A. Wilkins, Jr., the Republican choice is rooted in Yeadon and not well known through the District.
The fly in the ointment here is Tracey Gordon, a long time Democrat and former Deputy under Commissioner Stephanie Singer, has survived a challenge to her petition of 1,000 plus signatures and now must be considered a serious contender. The Dems have their work cut out for them since she is a well-known activist in that district.
Those interested should attend the 191st Legislative Candidates Forum sponsored by the Southwest Globe Times, at the Common Place, 58th and Chester Ave., from 6 to 8 pm.
In the meantime State Representative Margo Davidson, Yeadon Borough Mayor Rohan Hepkins and Yeadon Borough Council President Sharon Council gathered in Yeadon Monday to endorse Joanna McClinton. State Representative and Democratic Women’s Caucus Chair Margo Davidson said, “I could not be more thrilled at the prospect of adding another highly qualified woman to the state legislature. What I love the most about Johanna’s background is that she has a proven track record of public service as a public defender, youth minister and non-profit volunteer.” Adding her fresh voice is vital to the decisions that we are making right now in Harrisburg.”
Republican Ward leader Adam Lang has visibility in the 195th Legislative district. Adam is a long time resident of North Philadelphia, who along with his wife, Aldridk, have rehabbed their home and toiled in their community. He is active in the 195th as a Board member of the Brewerytown Sharswood Community Civic Association. His chances are dimmed by the fact the District enjoys a heavy Democratic registration and has a long history of service by competent Democratic legislators. Added to that is the fact his Democratic opponent Attorney Donna Bullock has strong roots in the District, is well known and respected in her own right, and has heavy Labor endorsements.
“Adam Lang understands the struggles of working and raising a family in North Philadelphia,” says Republican City Committee’s Executive Director Joe DeFelice. “Lang understands what it is like to watch government overstep its bounds and seize property from your neighbors and, frankly, he has had enough.”

Butkovitz Adds Isaiah
To His All-Star Team

Alan Butkovitz has put the last piece of his All-Star team together by hiring Isaiah Thomas!!!!
To observers, it is obvious he has picked the best possible talent for his team, which we believe will see him making major inroads, charges of waste and corruption, and recommendations saving tax payers money in the coming months.
His “All-Star” team began with the vacancy created by the departure of Harvey Rice who moved to the PICA board.

LIVENGRIN FOUNDATION drug and alcohol treatment center in Bensalem welcomed U.S. Congressman Bob Brady and First Responders Addiction Treatment (FRAT) program. From, left to right, CEO Richard Pine, U.S. Congressman Bob Brady, and FRAT Team Member Dennis Hallion.

Butkovitz’ choice to be his first deputy/chief of staff, Bill Rubin, was a super-smart move. Rubin brings in fresh air and a portfolio of heavy government and personnel experience. He has a pit bull mentality and prodigious memory when it comes to city finances.
Butkovitz has strengthened his policy department with MIT and U of P Grad Jeff Hornstein. He followed this up putting Tim Reddick in special investigations and now picking up Isaiah Thomas, who finished sixth this May in a very strong City Council at large field, as his Director of Community Affairs.
Combining them to the two long-tenured high-performing deputies John Thomas, and Gerry Miccicula as well as the high visibility created by Communications Director Brian Dries, we understand the Controller is now searching through a deep pool of issues.
Look for Alan to expand the parameters of his offices. He began recently by releasing reports on creating jobs and another on the benefits of moving on the Southport Terminal. Butkovitz has also just weighed in on the state of the Philly School District. Finally he has launched a new mentor program working High School students who just released their report on school lunches.
There are no sacred cows in city operations standing in the Controller’s way. So come September he should be very much on everyone’s radar.

Disc Jockeying
Mayoral Avocation?

Mayor Michael Nutter earned extra bucks as a disc jockey before getting serious about a political career.
Democratic candidate for Mayor, Jim Kenney, got a taste of what it’s like to be one last Friday when he handled that roll at TGIF on the Parkway for a Philadelphia Opportunities Industrialization Center fundraiser.

DJ JIM KENNEY takes over the turntables at Friday’s DJ Event. Shades of Mayor Michael Nutter? Photo courtesy Lauren Hitt and Kevin Fuller

He took over for a 20 minute stint from the regular DJ. Making it all happen was Flow, a regular networking and charitable after-work event hosted at select venues throughout Center City. The event, billed as “A good time for a GREAT cause”, normally attracts 150–200 attendees and has featured some of the City’s most prominent personalities spinning their favorite tunes for a cause of their choice.

White Gets Key
Task Force Post

Republican House Majority Leadership was wise to appoint Rep. Martina White to its Pipeline Infrastructure Task Force. Philadelphia has a big future in the pipeline industry and she understands what will best benefit this city. The Task Force is creating recommendations and best practices for planning and routing pipelines for the natural gas industry. News of more gas fields in adjacent New York State make it obvious pipe lines will soon be where the action is, even though its governor has a moratorium on pipeline building.

Toomey War Chest
Goes Over $8 Million

U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, the Republican freshman senator, has $8.3 million ready for his re-election campaign, raising $2.2 million in the latest quarter. His only announced rival to date is former Congressman Joe Sestak who has $1.7 million in total cash on hand.
If Gov. Wolf aide Kathy McGinty gets the Democratic endorsement to challenge Toomey, seen likely, expect a quick boost to over $3 million to rocket her campaign.
Toomey is running a television blitz early, though the campaign material is humdrum.

Sanatorum
Favorite Son

Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. Senator Rick Santorum has received the endorsement of Pennsylvania Republican legislative leaders in Harrisburg.
Rick Santorum said: “I am proud to receive such overwhelming support from Republican leaders in Pennsylvania. These leaders know how hard and successfully we worked on behalf of Pennsylvania for a dozen years, and this is the same leadership we plan to bring to Washington in January 2017. I look forward to working with this great group of conservatives in the weeks and months to come to turn Pennsylvania red in November 2016.”

STATE Rep. Leslie Acosta of the 197th Legislative District, left, held a health fair at Fairhill Park on Saturday, July 18 where she promoted healthy eating amongst providing information on state health programs such as the Childrens Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Photo by Jean Donohue

Senator Santorum received endorsements from the following members of the Pennsylvania Republican legislative leadership: In Pennsylvania State Senate: Majority Leader Jake Corman, Caucus Chairman; Bob Mensch, Caucus Secretary Richard Alloway; Appropriations Committee Chairman Pat Browne and Policy Committee Chairman David Argall.
In Pennsylvania State House: Speaker Mike Turzai; Majority Leader Dave Reed; Majority Whip – Bryan Cutler; Caucus Chair Sandra; Major Caucus Secretary Donna Oberlander; Caucus Administrator Brian Ellis and Republican Policy Committee Chairman Kerry Benninghof.

Anyone Care To Bet
When Budget Passes?

Word among Republicans and Democrats enjoying each other’s company in Wildwood last weekend was “Place your bets! Pick a date when budget will be settled!” That clearly demonstrates the fixed positions in which both parties find themselves. Both sides are adamant.
It’s now over a month since the fiscal year began and Pennsylvania still has no state budget. Legislative leaders and Gov. Tom Wolf met this Tuesday for another meeting, this time to talk about more of the budget numbers.
Both parties need to be aware the Department of Labor and Industry noted the unemployment rate in June for the Commonwealth remained unchanged from May, which had an unemployment rate of 5.4 percent.
Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate was one-tenth of a percentage point higher than the national unemployment rate of 5.3 percent, a change in that number of two-tenths of a percent over May’s number. Total nonfarm jobs in Pennsylvania are up one percent, year-to-date.

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