Looking to improve: Jared Solomon says he’s running for the state legislature to improve the look of the Castor, Bustleton and Rising Sun avenue commercial corridors. PHOTO COURTESY OF JARED SOLOMON
Jared Solomon said he is running for the state legislature, in part, to improve the look of the Castor, Bustleton and Rising Sun avenue commercial corridors.
“We can do better,” he said.
On Sunday afternoon, Solomon officially entered the race in the 202nd Legislative District. He’ll challenge Rep. Mark Cohen in the Democratic primary. Cohen was first elected in 1974.
Solomon, a lawyer, has headed the Take Back Your Neighborhood civic association for the last five years.
In that time, the group has started a youth basketball program, built a community garden at Max Myers Playground, implemented a wellness program, organized block cleanups and acquired trash and recycling receptacles for the Castor Gardens and Oxford Circle areas.
“I’m proud of the work that we’ve done,” he said.
Solomon announced his candidacy at his campaign headquarters at 6601 Rutland St. The room was once a butcher shop operated by his great-grandparents, who came here from Russia.
The candidate stood in front of a banner that read, “Jared Solomon for state representative. Standing Up for the Northeast.” Campaign chairman George Matysik announced him as “the next state representative from Northeast Philadelphia.”
The crowd included members of Take Back Your Neighborhood.
“I’m tired of my neighborhood being neglected, and that’s why I’m supporting Jared,” said Pam Baranackie.
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Marcel Groen, chairman of the Montgomery County Democratic Party, last week endorsed Marjorie Margolies in the 13th Congressional District primary.
Margolies served in Congress in 1993–94, losing a re-election bid after making a controversial vote for President Bill Clinton’s economic plan.
“I first met Marjorie 20 years ago when she was running for Congress. I saw in Marjorie then what I see today: a transformative leader who cares about giving a voice to those who have not traditionally had a seat at the table,” he said.
“Marjorie’s deciding vote for the Clinton budget — a vote that cost her congressional seat but laid the groundwork for our country’s largest economic expansion since World War II — defined for all of us the meaning of political courage.”
Margolies said, “Marcel was with me at the beginning mentoring me in my first run for Congress and working by my side to strengthen our party in the brief time I was there. Marcel’s tireless work on behalf of Democrats in Montgomery at every level has made our party the envy of counties around Pennsylvania and, indeed, across the nation. I am deeply honored by this endorsement.”
Groen hosted a reception to support Margolies at his home in Jenkintown on Monday.
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Dr. Val Arkoosh, another Democratic candidate in the 13th District, has support from various national medical organization political action committees. They are supporting Arkoosh based on recommendations by their Pennsylvania-based members.
Medical groups that are supporting Arkoosh include: American Society of Anesthesiologists Political Action Committee (ASAPAC), American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Political Action Committee (ACOG PAC), American College of Cardiology Political Action Committee (ACC PAC), American Psychology Association Practice Organization Political Action Committee (APAPO-PAC) and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Political Action Committee (STS-PAC).
“With healthcare continuing to lead the discussion in Washington, we need lawmakers with the experience and expertise to ensure that our healthcare system continues to provide the best quality care,” said Dr. Jeff Mueller, chairman of the American Society of Anesthesiologists PAC.
“For decades, Dr. Arkoosh has been a strong advocate for protecting women’s health and ensuring better access to quality OB-GYN care,” said ACOG president Dr. Jeanne A. Conry. “We can count on Dr. Akoosh to advance our legislative priorities that will help shape a health system that benefits patients and physicians alike.”
Arkoosh said, “I am honored to receive the support from my colleagues in the medical community. We see the negative impacts of a dysfunctional Congress full of career politicians in our community hospitals and clinics. As physicians, we are trained to overcome our differences to treat the patient or the problem in front of us — we don’t get hung up on ideology. This is the approach I will bring to Congress.”
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Arkoosh and Margolies are among four Democrats seeking the seat being vacated by Democratic Rep. Allyson Schwartz, who is running for governor. State Sen. Daylin Leach and state Rep. Brendan Boyle are the others.
Last week, Schwartz was endorsed by Far Northeast-based Ironworkers Local 401.
“The Ironworkers Local 401 is proud to endorse Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz for governor because she has consistently set out innovative solutions in her ‘One Pennsylvania’ plan that show she understands the needs of working families across the state — new jobs that pay good wages, high-performing schools for our children, 21st-century transportation infrastructure, and a commitment to making sure that Harrisburg starts working for Pennsylvania’s middle class again,” said Joseph Dougherty, the union’s financial secretary, treasurer and business manager.
Schwartz welcomed the endorsement, saying, “I have always been proud to stand with the Ironworkers to protect the rights of workers to organize, earn fair wages and achieve a secure retirement. As governor, I look forward to continuing to stand with them as we work to bring real leadership that fights for working families to Harrisburg.”
Schwartz has received the endorsements of the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers, Pennsylvania State Council of Sheet Metal Workers, United Mine Workers of America, United Steel Workers Local 10–1, Boilermakers Local 19 and Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals.
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Meanwhile, Schwartz released the following statement on the confirmation hearings of Christopher Abruzzo, nominated by Gov. Tom Corbett to be secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection.
“Gov. Corbett’s decision to nominate an individual who denies the dangerous effects of climate change to head the DEP is unacceptable. Christopher Abruzzo not only lacks the qualifications to lead the Department of Environmental Protection but his dangerous views could put Pennsylvania’s environment, natural resources and safety in jeopardy. Given Abruzzo’s statements at his confirmation hearing, I call on Gov. Corbett to withdraw his nomination.” ••
