By Abhinav Parameshwar, Contributing Writer
In November of 2007, Michael Nutter defeated his Republican challenger after overcoming two congressmen, a millionaire businessman, and a state legislator in the Democratic primary to become the Mayor of Philadelphia. Today, he faces an old political opponent in Milton Street. Street, a former hot dog vendor, was recently released from federal prison following a tax evasion sentencing. He offers an unexpected challenge as the brother of Mayor Nutter’s predecessor.
At the end of the day, the main question isn’t really whether Nutter will win. It’s how many Philadelphians will vote for Street as a protest to his tenure. If Nutter fails to achieve 75 percent of the vote says one analyst, it will be a hollow victory and could leave the Mayor open to a general election challenge from an independent candidate.
The Candidates
Before his work in public service, Michael Nutter, 53, worked as an investment manager at Pryor, Counts & Co., Inc., one of the nation’s leading minority-owned investment banking and brokerage firms. In 1991, Nutter was elected to the Philadelphia City Council and represented Philadelphia’s Fourth District for 15 years. He has served as Democratic Ward Leader of the 52nd Ward since 1990 and as Chairman of the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority Board. In addition, he also serves on the Board of City Trusts and manages the City’s charitable assets in this role. Nutter boasts the endorsements of many newspaper publications such as The Daily News and The Inquirer. The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers has also extended their support for Nutter.
Milton Street, 71, was elected to the 181st District of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives as a Democrat in 1978 and the Pennsylvania State Senate as a Democrat in 1980. He was unsuccessful in 1982 in his campaign for Congress against incumbent Representative Bill Gray and unsuccessful again in 1984 in his candidacy for re-election as State Senator. Street also ran for Philadelphia City Council at-large, which he also lost, following his failed bid for Philadelphia Mayor in 2007 against current Mayor and his opponent on Tuesday, Michael Nutter. Street is endorsed by the Fire Fighters Union and the “blue collar worker’s union” DC 33, the city’s largest union. Street met with DC 47, the white-collar City union, last week and attended a DC Contract rally demonstration last Tuesday.
Issue positions
Street, whose political history is marred with controversy, has vowed to mobilize ex-offenders as part of a public safety initiative, cut down on gun violence, and improve fire safety. Education funding and high tax rates have also been on his agenda. “The press does not realize I have an extensive background in fighting for the communities and neighbourhoods of this city for the past 40 years, including my service in both chambers of the General Assembly. I know what to do to keep taxes low, education funded, and crime down,” Street said in defence of his credentials.
Nutter too has singled out crime and violence as a major problem that is in need of attention. But unlike Street, Nutter has made education his top priority. “Education in the city really is the number one issue,” he said. “It’s about education. It’s about safety. It’s about jobs.” Nutter has also promised to work on his goals of increasing the city’s high school graduation rates and to increase the number of city residents with college degrees.
Finance Reports
Unfortunately for the cash-strapped Street, Mayor Nutter has raised a whopping $805,338 since the 1st of Jan. What’s more, Nutter has $1,279,936 still on hand to spend. Street himself reported that he raised no money this year.
Political insiders have projected a voter turnout of between 10 and 20 percent for Tuesday’s primary elections. Regardless, Philadelphia’s Democratic mayoral primary race appears to be a foregone conclusion with nobody expecting Street to be able to supplant Mayor Nutter. Thus far, both candidates have remained largely quiet with few big events or ads. Even though Street has scheduled a motorcade trip to tour the city in order to meet and greet audiences and made radio appearances, his efforts have hardly been of a political campaign in the traditional sense. This is true of Nutter too, whose mayoral advantages and large fundraising reserves have been just too much for Street to compete with.
Time will tell what kind of statement Philly wants to send, but don’t think Nutter is resting easy. Most people think Andy Reid does a good job, but put him on a ballot and things could turn ugly fast.
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