Marjorie Margolies got a major boost in her bid to regain her congressional seat from the 1990s.
Five ward leaders from Philadelphia endorsed the former congresswoman in her campaign for the Democratic nomination in PA-13.
The ward leaders are Mike McAleer, leader of Ward 66B and Chairman of the Northeast Ward Leaders, John Sabatina, Sr., leader of the 56th Ward, Elaine Tomlin, leader of the 42nd Ward, Bill Dolbow, leader of the 35th Ward, and Janice Sulman, leader of the 53rd Ward.
Sabatina said, “The voters need someone in Washington who can deliver for them on Day One. We don’t need someone to go there and learn the ropes, we need someone who can pick up the phone and get things done.”
Together, they represent nearly 40% of Philadelphia’s registered Democratic voters in Pennsylvania’s 13th Congressional District.
“When I announced my candidacy, I said that my campaign would go into every neighborhood of the 13th Congressional District. Today the leaders of some of Philadelphia’s strongest neighborhoods stand behind me to bring my brand of leadership back to Congress,” Margolies said. “Democrats from Rhawnhurst to Lawncrest and Oxford Circle to Olney want to send leaders to Washington to fix a broken system. I am humbled that their leaders today stand behind my campaign to do just that.”
Margolies held the seat for one term during the Clinton administration, and she’s now Chelsea Clinton’s mother-in-law.
Margolies is in a four-way primary against State Senator Daylin Leach (D-Montgomery), State Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Philadelphia) and physician/activist Valerie Arkoosh to fill the seat vacated by Allyson Schwartz’s retirement.
The endorsement also came with a shot at Boyle.
McAleer, leader of Ward 66B and Chairman of the Northeast Ward Leaders, said, “When Brendan Boyle announced his candidacy for U.S. Congress, I told him that I could not endorse a candidate for US Congress and state Representative on the same ballot. You can’t serve both, run for one or the other. I believed then, as I do now, that the voters of the Northeast in the 13th congressional district deserve a full time candidate and the constituents and taxpayers of the 170th legislative district deserve a full time representative.”
MacAleer continued: “Brendan feels that he has a right to run for a Washington position in Congress and a legislative position in Harrisburg. The voter’s will not buy it, and I will not ask them to.”
As it turns out, McAleer is an Administrative Officer for State Senator Mike Stack (D-Philadelphia). While Stack is currently a sitting senator, he is also running for Lieutenant Governor, the same situation that McAleer decries in the case of Boyle.
The last poll in the race was done by the Margolies campaign in August, and showed her in the lead of this wide field. Margolies takes 43%, followed by Boyle at 15%, Leach at 7% and Arkoosh at 2%. 31% were undecided.
Loading ...
12 Responses
What’s the name of the third McAleer boy?
These endorsements are a shot at Boyle, plain and simple. The guy even gets turned away on his own turf.
Interesting that the Philadelphia ward leaders endorsed someone who not only says she will only serve 1 or 2 terms, but lives outside the district.
{Having re-read my note, I have a few edits to insert; the thrust thereof is unchanged.}
I’m a GOP-Committeeman and, thus, I’d like to provide a disinterested viewpoint because, frankly, the arrogance of the prior letter-writers blinds the reader from being able to discern a cogent message.
Noting the polling-data and having followed the evolution of public discussion, it may be assumed that Daylin and Valerie are outliers but can detract from MMM’s MontCo numbers [due to geography and surmising that the NE-Philly electorate isn’t as leftist as they would desire].
Noting MMM’s having touted the need for retribution after having delivered “The Vote” and recalling her D-lockstep Sunday-commentaries, it would be reasonable to conclude she’s the “Establishment” candidate [particularly noting the marital-link with the Clintons].
From my interactions with BB while working with him [and his staff] on the Holocaust Education Bill [which is scheduled to be voted-upon as early as today in the full Senate], I have found him to be the OPPOSITE of the negative characterizations on this page; he is interactive, sincere, “moderate” [comparable to the approach of Bill Clinton’s DLC in the late-’80’s], and energetic [without appearing manic]. {His brother is, as well.}
I do not know the current impact of Ward leaders, but I do recall during past GOP primaries that they were potent; on the other hand, I have noted the hypocrisy evinced in this article [can’t run for two positions] handled by sympathetic party-leadership when endorsements have been scheduled “around” primaries and filing-deadlines.
Clearly, the attack on BB is “manufactured” because one can legally/morally maintain a statewide position while seeking a federal office; indeed, his approach can adroitly be conceptualized as focused upon building upon his ability to represent his constituency with maximal effectiveness.
Therefore, If indeed this is actually a binary race [and MMM is bogged-down a-bit by the existence of the two others, notwithstanding their individual perceived-strengths], it would appear that the constituency will benefit from joint-appearances of the key-players [a.k.a. “debates”]…and I suspect BB would emerge as the most personable of the four [and the more reflective of the electorate than the two].
Meanwhile, the GOP nominee is uncertain [and I’m aware of three potentials, all of whom I’ve met], but I suspect the unions could carry a more potent endorsement-impact for the ultimate-Dem than have the ward-leaders [assuming they can “man” the polls comprehensively].
{I might add that when I read a party leader complaining “BBoyle has rubbed a lot of people the long way,” I can easily perceive this as endorsing his style.}
I’m a GOP-Committeeman and, thus, I’d like to provide a disinterested viewpoint because, frankly, the arrogance of the prior letter-writers blinds the reader from being able to discern a cogent message.
Noting the polling-data and having followed the evolution of public discussion, it may be assumed that Daylin and Valerie are outliers but can detract from MMM’s MontCo numbers [due to geography and surmising that the NE-Philly electorate isn’t a leftist as they would desire].
Noting MMM’s having touted the need for retribution after having delivered “The Vote” and recalling her D-lockstep Sunday-commentaries, it would be reasonable to conclude she’s the “Establishment” candidate [particularly noting the marital-link with the Clintons].
From my interactions with BB while working with him on the Holocaust Education Bill [which is scheduled to be voted-upon as early as today in the full Senate], I have found him to be the OPPOSITE of the negative characterizations on this page; he is interactive, sincere, “moderate” [comparable to the approach of Bill Clinton’s DLC in the late-’80’s], and energetic [without appearing manic]. {His brother is, as well.}
I do not know the current impact of Ward leaders, but I do recall during past GOP primaries that they were potent; on the other hand, I have noted the hypocrisy evinced in this article [can’t run for two positions] handled by sympathetic party-leadership when endorsements have been scheduled “around” primaries and deadlines.
{Clearly, the attack on BB is “manufactured” because one can legally/morally maintain a statewide position while seeking a federal office; indeed, his approach can be conceptualized as focused upon building upon his ability to represent his constituency.}
Therefore, If indeed this is actually a binary race [and MMM is bogged-down by the existence of the two others, notwithstanding their individual perceived-strengths], it would appear that the constituency will benefit from joint-appearances of the key-players [aka “debates”]…and I suspect BB would emerge as the most personable of the four [and the more reflective of the electorate than the two].
That said, the GOP nominee is uncertain [and I’m aware of three potentials, all of whom I’ve met], but I suspect the unions could carry a more potent endorsement-impact for the ultimate-Dem than have the ward-leaders [assuming they can “man” the polls comprehensively].
Philly Ward Leaders, for the most part, are a bunch of greedy and glorified hacks who represent the worst of politics.
With that said, you have to be one arrogant SOB, to run for 2 seats simultaneously and yes Boyle fits the description to a tee. So what if he loses the Congressional race then he can slither back into his PA House seat like the little weasel that he is. As if the people need this guy representing them on one level or another. HOW ARROGANT!!!
C’mon man. Choose one seat or the other. Running for both just makes you out to be an unethical power seeker and quite frankly we need better candidates than Brendan Boyle.
Can somebody say……NAPOLEON COMPLEX!!!
Touche, David. Lol.
Not the 1970’s ????
Gee, you wouldn’t know that from all the awards that “American Hustle” won. 🙂
Hate to break to everyone, but this isn’t 1970. Ward leaders have only marginal sway over a small group of local people who attend their meetings. Regular folks are completely disconnected from the system of favors that make the ward system churn on. This will likely count for butkis on election day. Boyle’s brother was opposed by Sab senior in 2012 and his boy Collins got his clock cleaned. Ward leaders cling to this ridiculous belief that they’re still influence makers in the larger community. 20th century figures in a 21st century world.
C’mon boys, It’s clear that a deal was cut between Johnny Doc, Bob Brady, and Sabatina to roll out in full force against that snotty little twit Boyle in hopes that everyone falls in line.
It took Brendan three times (SIX YEARS) to beat George Kenney for his present seat, and he only won the House seat because George retired to take the Temple Job and the other side ran Al Taub’s Son, Matt. BBoyle has rubbed a lot of people the long way and his fake shanty Irish upbringing story isn’t going to play well with the demographic in Abington, Jenkintown, Bustleton, Etc.
Let’s face it, Margolies can buy this nomination and Brendan’s ambition has been placed on hold by Bobby & Doc.
Sounds like everyone is hoping Chelsea connection will translate to a Clinton visit.
Aren’t these the same ward leaders under investigation for the ticket fixing fiasco? I guess birds of a feather flock together.
I guess Sabatina joins the list of overpriced consultants employed by Margolies, I guess Boyle balked at paying Sabatina’s astronomical fees.