Danny Alvarez, the Republican candidate for district attorney, is challenging incumbent Democratic D.A. Seth Williams to a series of debates.
Alvarez recalled Williams telling the Daily News that, “The incumbent must defend his or her record in office, while the challenger’s role is to convince voters they can do a better job.”
The challenger believes the best and most transparent way for candidates to reach voters is through public debates. Failing to have debates are an affront to voters, he said, adding that debates minimize the influence of special interest groups spending money on campaigns.
The Williams campaign did not respond to a request for comment. Alvarez, a Somerton resident and married father of two, served as a an assistant district attorney for more than eight years. He is now an associate at Lamb McErlane, where he is a member of the criminal defense practice.
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City Council President Darrell Clarke has endorsed state Rep. Brendan Boyle in his campaign for the 13th Congressional District seat.
“I know he cares deeply about our city and our region,” Clarke said. “He will do a great job for us in D.C.”
Meanwhile, City Councilwoman Cindy Bass has endorsed former congresswoman Marjorie Margolies in the race. Bass, who once worked for U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah, cited Margolies’ tie-breaking vote in 1993 for President Bill Clinton’s economic plan.
“As senior policy adviser for urban and domestic policy to Congressman Fattah, I saw firsthand the impact that one woman could have in changing the direction of our country,” Bass said. “I saw how Marjorie’s one vote created economic opportunity for small business to grow across our congressional district. Marjorie showed all of us what an agent of change looks like, and I am proud to endorse her return to Congress because Washington desperately needs her leadership now more than ever.”
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The Republican City Committee last week officially opened its new headquarters at 3525–27 Cottman Ave. in Mayfair. The local GOP, which had been headquartered in Center City, served hot dogs, soft pretzels and water ice on Aug. 14.
State Rep. John Taylor, the new party chairman, said city Republicans will be stressing issues such as quality of life, education and fiscal responsibility.
“We have a great location, great candidates and plenty of energy,” he said.
Among those in attendance were Common Pleas Court Judge Ken Powell and Anne Marie Coyle, a candidate for a seat on Common Pleas Court. Judicial candidates are permitted to file on both major-party ballots.
Coyle is all but assured of victory because she won both the Democratic and Republican primaries. Powell has an uphill battle because he did not win on the Democratic side, but he continues to campaign.
“I’m not stopping,” he said.
Others in attendance included city elections commissioner Al Schmidt and Joe DeFelice, the local party’s new executive director.
DeFelice expects low turnout in this year’s general election, but hopes Republicans come to the polls in bigger numbers than Democrats. He expects 80,000 votes to be enough to win the races for district attorney and city controller. ••
