Former Municipal Court Judge Jimmie Moore has announced that he will challenge U.S. Rep. Bob Brady in the 1st Congressional District primary.
Moore, a Democrat, made the announcement on the 1900 block of Margaret St. in Frankford, across from a food pantry.
The district is ranked as the second-most impoverished in the country.
Moore’s campaign will focus on creating jobs, balancing the budget and eliminating hunger.
“I believe that I possess the leadership, vision, intelligence and skills to bring economic empowerment, corporate partnerships, community programs and employment opportunities to all the areas of the First Congressional District,” he said.
The district stretches from Delaware County through South and Southwest Philadelphia, into the river wards and includes the neighborhoods of Frankford and Castor Gardens. It will change once the state legislature introduces a redistricting bill, likely early next month.
••
Democrats in the 8th Congressional District might have to go back to the drawing board.
Doylestown Township Supervisor Cynthia Philo recently attended a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee training session in Washington, D.C. She is eyeing a run next year against Republican Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick.
Philo and running mate Mardi Harrison squared off in the Nov. 8 general election against Republicans Shawn Touhill and Ryan Manion, who easily defeated the Democratic duo. Philo, former president of the Old City District, finished last.
Fitzpatrick served in Congress from 2005–06 before losing to Democrat Patrick Murphy. Murphy won re-election in 2008 over Republican challenger Tom Manion — Ryan Manion’s father — before losing last year to Fitzpatrick.
In 2012, Murphy will seek the Democratic nomination for state attorney general.
The 8th district includes all of Bucks County, a small portion of eastern Montgomery County and the Far Northeast. Its boundaries will change for next year’s elections once the state Senate and House of Representatives pass a redistricting bill that is signed by the governor.
••
Murphy held a news conference last week to call for reforms in the wake of the child-abuse charges against Jerry Sandusky, the former defensive coordinator for Penn State’s football team.
The candidate wants to create an intelligence database for sex crimes against children and expand Child Advocacy Centers across Pennsylvania. Right now, there are 13 centers.
In addition, he wants the state legislature to pass a measure requiring anyone who witnesses a sex crime involving a child to report what they saw immediately to law enforcement, not just their work supervisor.
Also, he is urging the House Judiciary Committee to pass a bill repealing the statute of limitations for prosecution of sex crimes against kids.
For now, he believes, the focus should be on the victims and their families.
“These victims deserve justice for the crimes committed against them. We can’t rest until Sandusky is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” he said. ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215–354–3034 or [email protected]
