POLS ON THE STREET: Want To Be A Democratic Convention Delegate?

by Joe Shaheeli

Interested in becoming a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia this July? If so, State Party Chairman Marcel L. Groen has made it a possibility.

Potential delegates need be registered Democrats, pledge their support to a specific candidate, and complete a form. For information, contact Corey Pellington at delegate2016@padems.com or write for a form to her at Democratic State Committee, 229 State Road, Harrisburg, PA, 17101.

In the meantime the Democratic National Convention Committee is making its presence felt locally in a number of ways, this past week kicking off its “Community Service Campaign Giving Back to Philadelphia”.

For its first service project, the DNCC partnered with the Philadelphia 2016 Host Committee at the Wissahickon Boys & Girls Club to clean up and help prepare for the Club’s “Winter Wonderland Shop.” This historic Wissahickon Philadelphia Boys & Girls Club was founded by Germantown Quakers in the late 1800s, and was the first Boys & Girls Club member to serve African American youth, providing educational and vocational programs.

CONGRESSMAN and Party Chairman Bob Brady, right, hosted his DCC Staff for Christmas luncheon at Spring Garden headquarters, thanking them and forwarding his best wishes to Democratic Ward Leaders, committee people and elected officials.

“What better way to break away from the hustle and bustle of planning for the Convention than to honor the spirit of the holiday season and working with this wonderful group of young people,” said Rev. Leah D. Daughtry, CEO of the DNCC. “This service project is just one way to make good on our promise to support and give back to the Philadelphia community. We look forward to engaging with more Philadelphians across the city over the next few months through various community service projects.”

“This Convention is not only about spotlighting Philadelphia, but it is also about giving back to our local communities and enabling the event to have a positive impact on residents here,” said Kevin Washo, executive director of the Philadelphia 2016 Host Committee. “We are grateful to the Wissahickon Boys & Girls Club for inviting us into their space and look forward to working with similar organizations across the city in the months ahead.”

Not only was the Wissahickon Boys & Girls Club the first such African-American club, it remained the only one into the early part of the 20th century. Of the 53 founding clubs from New England to California that came together in 1906 to form The Boys Club Federation, Wissahickon was the only one from a black community. The history-breaking nature of the club did not stop there. The club broke through the gender line and became the Wissahickon Boys & Girls Club in 1981.

Details on subsequent service projects will be announced in the coming months.

Scott Sworn In As Montco’s Youngest District Judge

Gregory L. Scott, at 28, has become Montgomery County’s first African American District Judge and its youngest.

Since the tender age of 11 years, he has been in and around his community serving others in many positions relating to criminal justice, nonprofit organizations and public safety. He served as the first Junior Borough Councilman, a volunteer with the Norristown Fire Dept. and a volunteer EMT with the Plymouth Community Ambulance Association.

Gregory L. Scott … youngest District Judge

Scott graduated from Chestnut Hill College with a Bachelors degree in business communications and earned a Master’s of Science in psychology (concentration in ODL) from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

He was sworn in this week in front of many loved ones, friends, neighbors and supporters, saying, “I am humbled and excited at the opportunity my constituents have entrusted me. I look forward to running a court that is fair, transparent and where everyone leaves with their dignity intact.”

Republicans Smell Pa. Atty. Gen. Seat

Given the furor over Democrat Attorney General Kathleen Kane’s tenure, Democrats calling for the Governor to have her step down, and Republicans realizing they could have an easy chance to take that seat in the 2016 election, GOP candidates were coming out of the woodwork.

But that seems to be changing.

State Rep. Todd Stephens (R-Montgomery), who was among the early entries, has dropped out of the race. The decision seemed to be motivated by the show of support for State Sen. John Rafferty (R-Montgomery) when Southeast Caucus Chairman Michael Meehan released the results of straw polls he commissioned in Southeastern Pennsylvania counties. Shortly afterward, Rafferty won straw polls among the Southwest and Northwest Caucuses.

According to the Rafferty campaign, they had held a 162-82 advantage in the fight for the party’s formal endorsement which was set to be voted on at their winter meeting in January. The caucuses’ results verified their claim.

“With today’s votes, it’s clear Sen. Rafferty will have the votes he needs to win the endorsement,” Stephens stated in a message to supporters and the press. “I want to congratulate him on his win, and thank him for a spirited contest for the endorsement. It’s clear that his four years of hard work preparing to run paid off.”

He also thanked all the officials who endorsed him, a considerable list that included State Sen. Scott Wagner (R-York). In fact, earlier this month Stephens won the straw poll of the Republican Central Caucus.

Nevertheless, Rafferty now appears to be the presumptive GOP nominee for AG. H represents the 44th Dist., which includes parts of Montgomery, Chester and Berks Counties. He served as a Deputy Attorney General where he worked in the Criminal Law Division prosecuting Medicaid fraud. His campaign has been endorsed by a number of influential organizations, including the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association, the Pennsylvania Fraternal Order of Police, the Pennsylvania Professional Firefighters Association and the Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation.

Undaunted is Allegheny County District Attorney Steven Zappala, Jr., who announced his campaign for Pennsylvania Attorney General in the Democratic primary.

Considered one of the most-experienced lawyers and prosecutors to run for Pennsylvania’s top law enforcement position, Zappala vowed to restore confidence in the office of the Attorney General supporters in his home town of Pittsburgh.

Zappala’s grandfather Frank was an Italian immigrant who put himself through the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Law. He became known as a neighborhood lawyer and was later elected to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Steve’s father, Stephen Zappala, Sr., served as the Chief Justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

“In my family, the practice of law has always been about public service. My grandfather and father each served as great role models who believed as I do that practicing law is not about billing by the hour, but making sure the voices of regular people are heard by the courts and they are treated equally and fairly,” said Zappala – who is currently serving in his fifth term as DA.

A corruption-buster who has taken on powerful corporate interests and politicians, Zappala won convictions against a sitting Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice and state legislators who abused the public trust.

Former federal prosecutor, Philadelphia City Solicitor and mayoral candidate Ken Trujillo said, “Serving as Attorney General is serious business and requires a serious person like Steve Zappala who has not just practiced law for decades and prosecuted criminals, but understands the complexities of our criminal-justice system and has a passion for making it work equally for those who possess power as well as the least powerful people living in poverty throughout our city and the Commonwealth.”

Congressman Robert Brady, chair of the Philadelphia Democratic City Committee, said, “Steve Zappala comes from a great family tradition of highly respected lawyers in Pennsylvania. I’ve known him for many years. Steve has done great work as Allegheny County’s District Attorney, and there is no question he is highly qualified to serve as Pennsylvania’s Attorney General.”

Allegheny County labor leader Jack Shea said, “He’s the best DA we’ve ever had and no one would blame him if after five terms he chose to go earn top dollar at some law firm, but that’s just not what he’s ever been about. It’s been a long time since Pennsylvania’s top lawyer actually put middle and working class families first.”

Sanders Still Bugging Clinton

US Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.) welcomed the endorsement of Democracy for America, which is one of the biggest grassroots organizations in the country with an unprecedented 87% of the 270,000 votes cast online from Dec. 7 through last Tuesday.

“I’m proud to have DFA and its 1 million members join our people powered campaign,” Sanders said. “DFA’s tireless focus on bringing people together through grassroots organizing is the best way we can fight back against the billionaires and oligarchs who have rigged our economy.”

DFA’s endorsement came the same day the Communications Workers of America, a union with 700,000 members, endorsed Sanders for President.

Frontrunner Hillary Clinton needs to keep looking back as Sanders’ poll numbers crept up following last Saturday’s debate.

US Senate Primary Drawing Charges

Braddock Mayor and Democratic Senate candidate John Fetterman is taking a hit for failing to file his income and financial asset reports on time, which he described as an oversight. He’s now three months late.

Considering himself the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination to challenge US Sen. Pat Toomey is former Admiral and Congressman Joe Sestak.

This week, he returned to the steps of the State Capitol because of the budget to again distribute food, bedding, and supplies to people impacted by the crisis now in its sixth month as the State legislature’s recess approaches.

“This is about people,” Sestak said as he once again unloaded pallets of basic necessities for distribution. “In the Navy, I distributed humanitarian aid from the Horn of Africa to the Middle East because of natural disasters, poverty, and hunger. I never expected there would be a need to do so when I returned home to Pennsylvania because of a political disaster.”

US SENATE contender Joe Sestak distributes food to needy in Harrisburg on steps of Capitol.

Ten days earlier, Sestak had been at the capitol steps with Harrisburg’s own Downtown Daily Bread, Shalom House, and other community groups to hand out supplies to those in need. Admiral Sestak returned today with additional pallets of food, school supplies, blankets, and pillows as the Christmas holiday approaches and the winter weather continues to grow progressively colder.

The State budget crisis – already clocking in at more than 170 days – is preventing federal dollars from being released for housing assistance programs, domestic abuse shelters, public education, and various other human-resources services that help working families. State law prohibits most federal funds from being distributed without a budget.

“We’re talking about millions of federal dollars prevented from reaching public schools that educate our children, nonprofits that feed the hungry, organizations that provide shelter to the victims of domestic violence, and programs that help keep roofs over the heads of those in danger of losing their homes,” Sestak said.

Sestak explained he believes the people have been let down by the leaders they placed their trust in, which is why he walked 422 miles across the state earlier in the year to show the people of Pennsylvania that he really will “walk in their shoes” as their next US Senator.

Waxman Brings Labor Smarts To 182nd Race

A labor-friendly political expert will enter the crowded Democratic primary in the 182nd Legislative Dist.

Ben Waxman, currently press secretary for State Rep. Vincent Hughes (D-W. Phila.), will declare formally after New Year’s Day. He and his wife live in a condominium at 22nd & Chestnut Streets; family members have lived in Center City for decades.

Waxman came to the labor movement through his mother, who was a union member. Legendary activist Tom Cronin (whom Waxman hails as an “old-school radical”) inspired him to become an organizer. He has done organizing work with the Musicians Union in New York City, and in Philadelphia with AFSCME District Council 47 and United Food &* Commercial Workers.

Ben Waxman … bridge between progressives and labor.

Waxman has a track record with the Daily News and WHYY.

Philadelphia’s major problems need an experienced hand in the General Assembly, says Waxman. “Philadelphia is at a turning point. I remember what Center City was like in the ’90s; we have seen great changes. But there are very serious barriers that prevent Phila from moving in a positive direction and Harrisburg is right in the middle of them. On public transit, poverty, schools, we have gone as far as we can in the city. We need to work in Harrisburg and we need people who are focused on doing that job.

“I am part of the progressive movement and the labor movement,” stated Waxman. “Both are my homes. I work as bridge between the two.”

Waxman asserted he has $70,000 in the can already to fuel his campaign.

Eyes On Cephas For 192nd Dist.

In the wake of State Rep. Louise Bishop’s (D-W. Phila.) resignation last week, a well-connected political pro from Overbrook appears poised to seek the vacant 192nd Legislative Dist. Seat.

Morgan Cephas, deputy chief of staff for 4th Dist. Councilman Curtis Jones, Jr., has been circulating around West Philadelphia with an eye toward running.

If she does run, and is elected, she would constitute the first protégée of Jones’ to take over a State Rep slot. That’s a common way for a City Council Member to build a personal city-state action team.

Primary Fight Expected For 195th Legislative Seat

Newly elected 195th Legislative Dist. State Rep. Donna Bullock (D-N. Phila.) should expect a primary fight. Among most-prominent names mentioned is Judge Jimmy Moore. He is said to have strong support from Democratic City Committee Treasurer and 29th Ward Leader Frank Oliver, who retired from the seat which then went to State Rep. Michelle Brownlee.

Dems Settling On Rep. White Opponent

It is reported the Democratic Caucus in the 170th Legislative Dist. expects to settle on Matthew Darragh, a committeeman in Ward 66B, as their candidate in next year’s general election. State Rep. Martina White (R-Northeast) took that seat in a special election.

The district is now considered a swing district, GOP in off-presidential elections and a Democratic in statewide elections. Philadelphia once had about a dozen such swing districts prior to Mayor Frank Rizzo’s declaration for Mayor, when Republican voters changed their registrations in big numbers to elect the then-Police Commissioner.

Pat Murphy Back In Army

Former Congressman Pat Murphy has been confirmed by the US Senate as Under Secretary of the US Army, the number-2 civilian position and the chief management officer.

He said, “I thank President Obama, Secretary Carter and Acting Secretary Fanning for their trust and confidence and also the United States Senate for their confirmation. Making sure we have the best Army possible to defend our nation, and that our brave warriors have every tactical and technical advantage over our enemies, is a mission I accept with extreme dedication.”

Kirkland Sworn In As Chester Mayor

Former State Rep. Thaddeus Kirkland (D-Delaware) will be sworn in as Mayor of Chester Jan. 4 in that city’s Council Chambers at City Hall. He comes to a troubled city with an understanding of what it needs. We wish him well.

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