Former City Controller Jonathan Saidel last week endorsed Marjorie Margolies in the Democratic primary in the 13th Congressional District.
Saidel will be her campaign chairman in Philadelphia. The district also includes portions of Montgomery County.
Saidel said, “When Marjorie entered this race, she asked me for my endorsement. I told her that I wanted to wait and see if she would mount a campaign in Philadelphia that spoke to the hopes and dreams of these neighborhoods. Over the past seven months, she has done just this.
“I am proud to join Sens. Kitchen and Washington and Councilwomen Tasco, Bass, Reynolds Brown, Blackwell and Quinones Sanchez in endorsing Marjorie and pledge to work hard in the Northeast to ensure her return to Congress.
“I look forward to working side by side with Marjorie over the coming months to secure her success at the ballot box next year.”
Margolies said, “I am honored to have Jonathan Saidel chair my campaign in Philadelphia. No one knows the politics of Northeast Philly, or has had greater success at the ballot box in these neighborhoods than Jonathan. I intend to lean heavily on his expertise, his larger-than-life personality and, most of all, his friendship as we work together toward victory in May and November.”
Meanwhile, Roll Call last week named Margolies the most likely former member of Congress to win back a seat in 2014. She is one of nine former House members looking to return to Washington. Also, former Sen. Scott Brown, of Massachusetts, is eyeing a run for a Senate seat in New Hampshire.
Margolies faces state Sen. Daylin Leach, state Rep. Brendan Boyle and Dr. Val Arkoosh in the primary on May 20.
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The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 98 announced its endorsement of Allyson Schwartz for governor.
“Allyson Schwartz has always stood up for working families, and as governor, she will be our advocate in Harrisburg,” said John Dougherty, business manager for IBEW 98. “Allyson is the person to beat Tom Corbett and give working families a governor who will stand up for them.”
Schwartz has also 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, Iron Workers 401 and Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals.
In addition, she is backed by Rep. Bob Brady and the Philadelphia Democratic City Committee.
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The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry’s bipartisan political action committee, ChamberPAC, endorsed Gov. Tom Corbett and Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley for a second four-year term.
“This dynamic gubernatorial ticket has kept the promises that they made four years ago as candidates to put the tax-and-spend policies of the past behind and reestablish Pennsylvania as a world economic leader,” said Gene Barr, president of the group.
“Since taking office in 2011, we have experienced on-time, fiscally responsible budgets that prioritize state government spending and wisely invest taxpayer dollars. The governor and lieutenant governor have also partnered with us and with pro-business lawmakers to enact initiatives that have stimulated private sector investment and encouraged job growth. And, they have proven to value the commonwealth’s future business leaders and workers, as we are now spending more money on pre-K through grade 12 education than at any other time in state history.”
The group supports Corbett’s effort to privatize the state-run liquor store system to offer consumers more choice and convenience.
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Council for a Livable World has announced its early endorsement of former congressman and U.S. Navy veteran Joe Sestak for Pennsylvania’s Senate seat held by Sen. Pat Toomey.
Sestak, a Democrat, hopes to challenge Toomey, a Republican, in 2016. Toomey edged Sestak in 2010.
“During his military career and tenure in the House of Representatives, Adm. Sestak has been a champion for a pragmatic foreign and national security policy that addresses America’s 21st-century security threats,” said Jules Zacher, a member of Council for a Livable World’s board of directors. “We’ve proudly supported Adm. Sestak in his previous House and Senate races and are excited to offer our support again.”
Council for a Livable World supported Sestak in his successful 2006 and 2008 races for the U.S. House of Representatives and for his 2010 run for the U.S. Senate.
“Adm. Sestak is following a brilliant strategy of organizing and fundraising for the 2016 campaign remarkably early in what is sure to be a challenging contest,” said John Isaacs, the Council’s executive director. ••
