POLS ON THE STREET: Voters Sour On Pa. Government

by Joe Shaheeli

CHINESE Consul General Zhang Qiyue visited last week to strengthen business ties. Hosting and toasting her at reception at Downtown Club was real-estate tycoon Richard Oller, co-organized by attorney Jay Borowsky. She was applauded by Lt. Gov. Mike Stack among others.

If Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf were pitted against the Republican-controlled General Assembly in a two-way race right now, Wolf would win by a landslide.

So says a Franklin & Marshall College Poll conducted Jan. 18-23. “The January Poll shows more registered voters continue to hold the State legislature (52%) than the Governor (32%) responsible for the State’s late budget,” it reported. Ever since the House of Representatives torpedoed a compromise budget worked out between the Senate and the Governor, negotiations have been stalemated.

But it isn’t easy for a chief executive to run against a legislature. Wolf may find that out to his chagrin if, as he has promised, he plans to campaign for Democrats who will challenge obdurate Republican lawmakers, seeking to tag them with the blame for not compromising to make a budget.

First, Wolf’s reputation is tarnished now too among voters, as the same poll shows. His own favorability rating is down sharply – only one-third of voters give him an “excellent” or “good” rating while 26% of voters give him a “poor” rating.

His second problem is that those negative views will be concentrated in Republican-majority districts. And the legislators who oppose Wolf’s budget (largely because it entails raising taxes) will be increasingly wary of fueling opposition by hardcore conservatives in their upcoming primaries; it is their own party they fear more than Wolf’s.

TONYELLE COOK-ARTIS, 50th Ward powerhouse who is running for 200th Legislative Dist., packed first funder at Alma Mater in Mt. Airy with strong support. From left: Councilman Allan Domb, David Hyman, Ward Leader Pete Lyde, State Reps. Dwight Evans and Stephen Kinsey, Numa St. Louis, former Councilwoman Marian Tasco, Ken Weinstein, Cook-Artis, Councilman Derek Green, Ward Leader Isabella Fitzgerald, UFCW Local 1776 reps John Meyerson and Adam Gold, William Ewing, Esq., Dan Muroff, Councilwoman Cherelle Parker, Ward Leader Rondal Cousar and Mustafa Rashed.

Perhaps, if it turns out they face no primary opposition, some Republicans will grow more concerned about their constituents’ grievances over government services that are going unfunded as a result of the budget breakdown. They may then start to explore new compromises in late February.

But rightly or wrongly, they are unlikely to worry much about potential Democratic challengers until summer rolls around. And that will bring a whole new budget to be stalemated….

By then, the mood of Keystone State voters may be so sour that no elected official will look good in either party – Wolf included. That would take the luster off Wolf’s power to stump the state for others.

The real kicker in State House races will be the increased presidential turnout, which tends to favor Democrats. If Dems pick a presidential paladin that fires up supporters, or if the GOP chooses a radical chieftain who terrifies moderates and independents, an increased Democratic turnout could wound a few Republican legislators in suburban districts. The Republicans who care are mostly in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

FULL RANGE of W. Phila. leaders came out for State Rep. Vanessa Lowery Brown’s reelection campaign kickoff at Park Avenue in Parkside. From left are Stanley Straughter, Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, Lowery Brown, Abdoulaye Coumbassa and Youma Ba. Photo by Wendell Douglas

In the meantime, 67% of voters – the same voters who elected the Governor and the legislature to oppose each other – told the Franklin & Marshall Poll the state is going in the wrong direction. Dysfunction in State government, they said, is our most-pressing public problem. It’s a level of public dissatisfaction F&M’s top pollster G. Terry Madonna called “historic.”

Dems Are Happy With Senate Field

All three contenders for the US Senate nomination are looking good to Democratic voters, according to a Republican-leaning pollster.

Currently, former Congressman Adm. Joe Sestak leads the race to take on incumbent Republican US Sen. Pat Toomey with 33% support, followed by Gov. Wolf’s former Chief of Staff Katie McGinty with 29% and Braddock Mayor John Fetterman with 11%. But 28% of Democratic voters responding to a Harper Polling survey released Jan. 28 were undecided, so there is plenty of room for positions to change before the Apr. 24 primary.

That’s so particularly because Democrats like all three candidates the more they learn about them. A test of this is in their response to the candidates’ biographies.

After being told she is “a Philadelphia native who has been an advisor to Vice President Al Gore, Environmental Advisor under President Bill Clinton, and Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection under Governor Ed Rendell. She unsuccessfully ran for Governor in 2014 and later served as Governor Tom Wolf’s Chief of Staff,” 68% of voters said this made them “more likely” to support McGinty.

Hearing Sestak’s biography as “a former U.S. Navy three-star admiral who was born in Delaware County outside Philadelphia. He served two terms in the United States House of Representatives and ran for Senate in 2010. He also served as Director for Defense on the National Security Council under President Bill Clinton,” 67% of voters warmed up to him more.

Fetterman’s biography as “a native of York and mayor of Braddock, a historic steel town on the outskirts of Pittsburgh. After earning a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from Harvard University, he joined AmeriCorps and moved to the severely economically depressed town to try to revitalize it” piqued the interest of 64% of voters.

At this stage, the senatorial campaign is a positive and uplifting experience for Democrats who are pleased with their choices.

On Monday, McGinty won the endorsement of Service Employees International Union at a Philadelphia rally, adding to a rack of organizational endorsements.

That same night, Fetterman showed some financial muscle by releasing his first statewide 60-second ad buy as the Iowa primary caucuses were inducing heavy viewing by political junkies.

Kane Still Strong With Voters

KATHLEEN KANE … still clicking with voters.

The same Harper Poll found Attorney General Kathleen Kane, while she may underwater with legal troubles, remains buoyant with Democratic voters. Kane led the pack of rivals for the Democratic nomination for AG. In the poll, Kane received 31% in the survey while 30% were undecided. Among the other candidates, Allegheny County DA Stephen Zappala got 18%, Montgomery County Commissioner Josh Shapiro finished with 13% and Northampton County DA John Morganelli rounded out the group with 9%.

As Harper Poll’s Managing Editor Nick Field noted tartly, “It’s probably name recognition, but perhaps not.”

The poll, taken Jan. 22-23 with landline Interactive Voice Response, noted Kane was ahead in all regions except the Southwest, when native son Zappala, heir to an old political family, leads.

But Kane’s support could crumble as opponents get their messages out. Her chief problem: a poor reputation. “Her favorability rating is 43% (17% very favorable, 26% somewhat favorable) while 49% (22% very, 27% somewhat) have an unfavorable opinion of her,” Field said.

Women remain sympathetic to her, however, perhaps because they remember she was the first woman to win the Attorney General’s office in state history. They are about split on her favorability (43% favorable, 45% unfavorable) whereas men, by 42%-53%, are turning against her.

Scrapping to set himself up as the toughest anti-Kane candidate, Morganelli has called for the firing of Douglas Gansler, Maryland’s former Attorney General, whom Kane has appointed to lead a special investigation into the scandal involving email exchanges between Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices and other law-enforcement officials. Kane has charged an “old boys’ network” that engaged in offensive emails is behind the sea of legal accusations she finds herself in.

Morganelli would go further. “In addition to the termination of Gansler, the OAG itself needs a house cleaning of all top tier people,” he said. “If Kane is removed by action of the Senate and Governor, and an interim AG is appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate, the first order of business should be to ask for the resignations of all top level people. A new AG just cannot be saddled with Kane appointees, people loyal to Tom Corbett and/or people mired in ‘Porngate’. A new AG needs a completely new team of professional prosecutors with no agenda, bias or loyalties other than to the people of Pennsylvania devoted solely to clean up this mess. ‘Porngate’ must end, and the OAG must return to its core mission.”

Philadelphia GOP Taps Its Own Views

23RD WARD GOP Chair Chris Nawdynski signs Donald Trump’s petition at ward get-together. Ward Leader Bill Pettigrew allowed his committee to circulate presidential candidates of their choice, despite his own leaning toward Marco Rubio.

Philadelphia isn’t quite Iowa when it comes to the making of Republican Presidents. Still, the city is one of the state’s largest pools of Republican voters and they are eyeing their crowded national primary field with great vigor, since they have no statewide primary distractions.

A few days before the Iowa caucuses, Republican City Committee Exec. Dir. Joe DeFelice released the results of a straw poll of city loyalists.

“The Republican Party has put forth a diverse slate of candidates with a wealth of ideas to get this country back on track,” said DeFelice. “The results of that poll are: Donald Trump, 37%; Sen. Marco Rubio 22%; Sen. Ted Cruz 9%; Sen. Rand Paul 7%; Gov. Jeb Bush 5%; Gov. John Kasich 5%; Gov. Chris Christie 4%; Carly Fiorina 4%; Sen. Rick Santorum 4%; Dr. Ben Carson 3%; Gov. Mike Huckabee 0%.”

The city’s preferences roughly parallel the results of Hawkeye State Republicans, with one large difference: Candidates with a strong base in evangelical conservatism, such as Cruz, Carson and Huckabee, do more poorly here.

“Philadelphia has an opportunity to play an important role in who selects the next President of the United States as it is the largest city in a swing state; even the Democrats realize our city’s importance by holding their national convention here,” DeFelice commented. “Our party is not taking this lightly and is out aggressively recruiting in the neighborhoods and wards of the city by reaching out to our neighbors to disrupt the Coronation of Hillary Clinton by wooing voters to register to vote in the April primary.”

State Dems Try For March Meetup

Fresh from its cancellation of the State Committee meeting in the onslaught of winter storm Jason, the Pennsylvania Democratic Committee has rescheduled it for the weekend of Mar. 4-5.

All other details remain the same, said DSC Chairman Marcel Groen. It will be held at the Hershey Lodge. “We have set aside rooms for us at the same price that was originally set for the cancelled meeting. We will be following the same agenda that was originally sent out,” he noted.

“Progress on the national convention continues to move forward,” Groen reported. “The various presidential campaigns have selected their candidates for delegate. Unfortunately, as many of you realize, there were far more people who wanted to be a delegate than slots that were available. Our desire is to try to have events around the convention in which everyone who wants to, can participate. It is important that this once in a life time opportunity is shared by as many as possible. There are things we can do beyond just selecting delegates and we are working on those.”

A candidate forum is set for Friday and will have the same dinner and reception in the evening for the same price of $20.16. “Obviously those who have already paid will automatically be included,” he added.

Although Groen personally takes a dim view of DSC endorsements, preferring to leave the matter up to the various counties, an endorsement meeting will be held.

As for the storm, Groen told committee members, “We can control many things, but Mother Nature is not one of them. Your safety is always the most important consideration for us in making those types of decisions.”

Muroff Presses Case In Congress’ 2nd Dist.

STANDING tall as he launched his campaign for 2nd Congressional Dist., Ward Leader Dan Muroff was urged on by colleague Bill Dolbow, Janet Amato, and Dan & Pamela Packard.

Democratic 9th Ward Leader Dan Muroff officially announced his candidacy for Pennsylvania’s 2nd Congressional Dist. before a packed house at Alma Mater in his home neighborhood of Mt. Airy.

Drawing on his experience as a long-time advocate for Philadelphia’s most vulnerable, Muroff decided to run because he was dismayed at the lack of attention on Philadelphia’s gun-violence epidemic.

“Illegal guns unraveled the fabric of our communities, and closed off opportunities for them to thrive,” he told the crowd. “Gun crimes destroy lives, families and futures. It’s become America’s present-day sin – our deepest despair – because it’s relentless and routine, and it leaves us astounded yet somehow indifferent. We’ve been snookered into believing we can’t take this on. I don’t accept that.”

He also spoke of his family – particularly his sister who disappeared almost 20 years ago in North Philadelphia while dependent on drugs. He shared how his sister was unable to secure a job because of a past criminal record, a story not unfamiliar to families across the 2nd Dist.

He stated, “A nonviolent criminal record in youth must not be an indelible mark, a label that a person is something so much less. There are real consequences when a person can’t rightly put their troubles behind them and find a secure job. It creates a self-defeating cycle – not just for them, but also for their families, and for society. I am committed to fixing this.”

Muroff is an attorney and community leader who has worked over the past decade to reduce gun violence in Pennsylvania. As the most-recent past-president of CeasefirePA, he is uniquely qualified to address the growing problem of gun violence in the 2nd Dist., which takes in Northwest Philadelphia and Lower Merion Township; most of West and North Philadelphia; and parts of Center City and South Philadelphia.

Dan has served as the president of East Mt. Airy Neighbors and as the president of Conservation Voters of PA. He has also worked as a chief of staff on Capitol Hill, giving him the opportunity to advance a progressive agenda.

Balchunis Gets Nod From Counties
Mary Ellen Balchunis has sewn up Democratic Party support in her bid for the nomination in the 7th Congressional Dist.

Chester, Delaware and Montgomery County Democratic Committees are all on board with her, she announced.

After clinching her home-county endorsement, she told supporters, “This is the most-important endorsement I have ever received. It makes it even more important because you are the people that I have served with for over 20 years as a Committeeperson. I have stood with you in election after election. I am so proud that you have decided to stand with me today.”

Balchunis is bidding for the right to tackle incumbent Congressman Pat Meehan (R-Delaware) in the 7th, an oddly-shaped district that has become an exemplar of gerrymandering nationwide.

Bullock Runs Table With Party Leaders

HIGH-POWERED campaign launch at Dilworth Paxson offices fueled State Rep. Donna Bullock’s reelection bid. At her side are State Sen. Vincent Hughes, Council President Darrell Clarke, Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, Bullock, Councilmen Kenyatta Johnson and Bill Greenlee, and Ward Leader Bernadette Wyche. Photo by Wendell Douglas

State Rep. Donna Bullock (D-W. Phila.) opened her reelection campaign to a packed standing-room-only house at the Brewerytown CDC in the heart of the 29th Ward. She was joined by her husband Otis and two sons.

More than 100 residents came from across the 195th Dist., which takes in Spring Garden, Fairmount, Brewerytown, Strawberry Mansion and Powelton Village.
“I am honored to represent the 195th District in Harrisburg. Today I have my sons, Malcolm and Xavier, with me as I greet neighbors from every neighborhood in the 195th Dist., and for them to see the election process first-hand,” said Bullock. “Service is something we do as a family, not something that my sons have to read about in a book.”

Bullock was endorsed by a very-powerful team of elected officials as well. Elected officials supporting Bullock include Council President Darrell Clarke, State Sen. Vincent Hughes, 15th Ward Leader and Councilman Bill Greenlee, 32nd Ward Leader Gary Williams and 24th Ward Leader Bernadette Wyche.

Former Mayor John Street and Bullock’s colleagues from the Pennsylvania House, State Reps. Joanna McClinton, Jordan Harris and Jason Dawkins, were also present to show their support.
“I am humbled by the grassroots support my reelection campaign. It amazes me every day,” exclaimed Bullock.

Bullock ended the calendar year with $54,000 in her campaign chest.

Davidson Fares Well With Party Backing

State Rep. Margo Davidson (D-Delaware) declared a campaign victory on Jan. 31 when she won her bid for an open primary at the Delaware County Democratic Committee Endorsement Convention.

Davidson, whose district is centered on Upper Darby, has sparked controversy for some stands that strike progressives as unorthodox. Upper Darby Councilwoman Sekela Coles has declared to oppose her in the primary. Smith had hoped to pick up a key County Committee endorsement but was disappointed on Sunday.

“My supporters and I fought for an open primary so that the voters in the 164th Dist. can decide who will represent them. We did not want a few dozen political insiders dictating to the voters who they should support. We proudly stood up for the right of the voters to make their voice heard,” Davidson said afterward. “This was a clear victory for Team Davidson.

“My opponent even submitted 16 proxies during the vote count – proxies which were questionable at best – which I chose not to challenge for the sake of party unity,” said Davidson. “I am not in this to play games. Despite my opponent’s desperate attempts, I was confident that my supporters and I would be successful.”

Lou Lanni Enters The 182nd Race

182ND LEGISLATIVE Dist. has new contender: real-estate investor and former police officer Lou Lanni, who kicked off campaign at Han Dynasty in Old City. From left are attorney Larry Otter, Lanni, Campaign Mgr. Andrew Allison and consultant Shedrick Felton.

Businessman and former police officer Lou Lanni announced his candidacy for State Representative for the 182nd Legislative Dist. before a packed house of friends and supporters last week.

The occasion was hosted at Han Dynasty at 123 Chestnut Street.

Lanni pledged to fight to support quality public schools and teachers “with a robust and dedicated funding source that produces results and graduates students who are prepared for college. H wants to attract and recruit new businesses to our city, and get people back to work.

He spoke in favor of passing LGBTQ Anti-Hate Crimes legislation. If elected, he vowed to “not just create, but support and pass legislation which will improve public safety in Pennsylvania; and especially in Philadelphia.”

Lanni cited a bipartisan spirit which he said was necessary to “end the perennial gridlock in Harrisburg. He would work with “both parties to introduce commonsense legislation that serves all Pennsylvanians.”

Lanni, 56, resides in Washington Square West with his partner of 24 years and their two adopted dogs. He is a product of Philadelphia public schools and Temple University. Now a real-estate entrepreneur, Lou was formerly in the Police Dept., serving in a number of assignments throughout the city, including the elite Highway Patrol. His tenure there was cut short as a result of a serious work-related injury.

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