The Republican candidates for district attorney and city controller were at the party’s annual clambake Sunday at Cannstatter’s, arguing that the GOP needs to fight harder against the entrenched Democratic machine.
“We demand democracy back into Philadelphia, not tomorrow, but today,” said Danny Alvarez, who is challenging District Attorney Seth Williams.
Alvarez, a lawyer from Somerton, promised to fight to keep all Philadelphians safe, particularly ones living in crime-ridden neighborhoods.
Terry Tracy, who is challenging City Controller Alan Butkovitz, said it’s been an honor to go through the process of running a citywide race and urged fellow Republicans to get to the polls on Nov. 5.
“Democracy is not a spectator sport,” Tracy told the party faithful.
State Rep. John Taylor, the local party chairman, credited Alvarez and Tracy with running good campaigns and spreading the Republican message.
“Both of these guys have been across the city making the case,” he said.
Common Pleas Court Judge Ken Powell was in attendance. He is seeking a full term following an appointment by the governor, but faces an uphill battle because his name will appear on only the Republican ticket.
The party honored longtime Republican City Committee office manager and clambake organizer Carmella Fitzpatrick, presenting her with flowers on stage with elected officials and candidates.
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The campaign of Allyson Schwartz last week released a poll showing her leading the Democratic race for governor.
The poll included only four candidates, though another half-dozen have either announced or are considering bids.
The Benenson Strategy Group interviewed 800 people who are considered likely to vote in the 2014 Democratic primary. Schwartz took 34 percent, followed by Katie McGinty with 15 percent, Tom Wolf with 11 percent and Rob McCord with 10 percent. Thirty percent were undecided.
People living in the Philadelphia media market are expected to make up about 40 percent of the primary vote, and the poll showed Schwartz taking 60 percent in the market. She’s a five-term congresswoman and a former state senator.
Earlier this month, Benenson surveyed 600 people likely to vote in the November 2014 general election. The poll showed Schwartz leading Gov. Tom Corbett, 49 percent to 41 percent. Ten percent were undecided.
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Schwartz is not running for re-election in the 13th Congressional District, and four Democrats are vying to succeed her.
Former congresswoman Marjorie Margolies last week released a poll giving her a wide lead. Margolies received 43 percent, followed by state Rep. Brendan Boyle with 15 percent, state Sen. Daylin Leach with 7 percent and Dr. Valerie Arkoosh with 2 percent.
The Global Strategy Group interviewed 422 registered Democrats who are likely to participate in the May 2014 primary election.
The poll showed Margolies taking 51 percent in Montgomery County and 33 percent in Philadelphia. Boyle, the only Philadelphian in the race, took 28 percent of the city vote.
A polling memorandum by Global Strategy Group linked her lead to higher name recognition than her opponents. The other candidates will almost certainly make strides in name recognition and polling numbers once they start advertising on television.
Leach led the way in second-quarter fundraising. Arkoosh, who started her campaign in the first quarter, has raised the most money overall. Boyle had a pretty strong fundraising report. Margolies was last in money raised through June 30, but she was also the last candidate to join the race.
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A possible Republican candidate in the 13th Congressional District attended Sunday’s clambake.
Beverly Plosa-Bowser is a retired U.S. Air Force colonel, as is her husband, Cameron. They have five adult children.
“I’m trying to meet people and learn the lay of the land,” she said of her potential candidacy. ••
