Lisa Deeley
Rhawnhurst’s Lisa Deeley last Friday announced her candidacy for city elections commissioner during a breakfast fundraiser at the Famous 4th Street Deli, 4th and Bainbridge streets.
“I hope to bring harmony to the commissioners’ office and improve their image. I think there’s great dysfunction right now in this department,” she said.
Deeley, a Democrat whose mother, Barbara, is a former Philadelphia sheriff, will be seeking one of two nominations. She hopes to earn the endorsement of the Democratic City Committee.
Other candidates are expected to include incumbents Anthony Clark and Stephanie Singer, ward leader Carol Jenkins and Dennis Lee, a former deputy city commissioner.
Deeley is a longtime committeewoman in the 56th Ward and is ward chairwoman of the 54th Ward.
“I feel very confident in my chances of receiving the endorsement,” she said.
Deeley was chief of staff for Alan Butkovitz when he was a state representative. When Butkovitz became city controller, she led the office’s community affairs division. More recently, she was director of community outreach for City Councilman Bobby Henon. She also serves as president of Northeast Victim Service.
If elected, she’d work to improve voter turnout, using her experience in community outreach.
“Lisa has a deep knowledge of the issues facing the commissioners office, from her background with both the state and city governments. She did a fantastic job as my director of community outreach. I’m sad to see her go, but my loss is the city’s gain,” Henon said.
The Philadelphia Building and Construction Trades Council has unanimously endorsed Deeley.
“The role of city commissioner is an important one for all of us who care about fair elections in this city, and the current level of dysfunction in the office can no longer be tolerated. We need Lisa Deeley — a woman of experience and integrity — in the city commissioners office,” said longtime building trades boss Pat Gillespie.
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Republican Dan Tinney recently announced his candidacy for an at-large City Council seat during an event at Cannstatter’s.
Tinney, a Millbrook native and 2000 Archbishop Ryan High School graduate, has a degree in business logistics and international business from Penn State. He is a 66th Ward committeeman, active with Our Lady of Calvary Church and a member of Steamfitters Local 420.
Tinney’s top issues include crime reduction, better schools, an improved economy, job creation, fiscal responsibility, infrastructure enhancements and more funding for the Community Life Improvement Program.
Chris Vogler, Republican leader of the 55th Ward, introduced the candidate and key supporters, and encouraged guests to help Tinney collect the minimum 1,000 signatures over a three-week period starting Feb. 17.
Among those on hand were state Rep. John Taylor, city elections commissioner Al Schmidt, Republican City Committee general counsel Mike Meehan, 170th Legislative District candidate Martina White, at-large Council hopeful Matt Wolfe and Steamfitters 420 business manager Anthony Gallagher.
Taylor believes Tinney will be strong on issues of energy and manufacturing.
“We need that voice in City Council,” he said.
Gallagher said Tinney can work with both business and labor sectors.
“We’re a hundred percent behind him,” he said.
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Jim Kenney last week resigned from City Council and is expected to join the Democratic field for mayor.
The decision follows Ken Trujillo’s withdrawal from the race. Kenney will position himself as a progressive, and hopes to attract Trujillo’s supporters. He also is expected to receive a lot of union support.
Many liberals and unions have been hesitant to back announced candidates Lynne Abraham, Anthony Williams and Nelson Diaz.
Trujillo dropped out because of family reasons.
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Public Policy Polling recently surveyed 1,042 registered voters in Pennsylvania about next year’s race for U.S. Senate.
Republican Sen. Pat Toomey trails former Gov. and Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell, 44 percent to 41 percent.
Toomey leads five other potential Democratic opponents. He tops former congressman Joe Sestak (40–36), MSNBC political commentator Chris Matthews (42–38), state Attorney General Kathleen Kane (44–38), Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter (42–35) and Montgomery County Commissioner Josh Shapiro (43–31).
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The Republican Party of Pennsylvania has endorsed candidates for statewide judicial races.
There are three openings on Supreme Court. The party is backing Commonwealth Court Judge Anne Covey, Adams County Court of Common Pleas Judge Michael A. George and Superior Court Judge Judy Olson.
There is one opening for Superior Court. The GOP is behind Northampton County Court of Common Pleas Judge Emil Giordano.
There is one seat open for Commonwealth Court. Republicans favor Allegheny County attorney Paul Lalley.
Montour County District Attorney Rebecca Warren was not endorsed by the party for Supreme Court, but she did receive the backing from 15 fellow district attorneys, including Dave Heckler of Bucks County, Tom Hogan of Chester County and Jack Whelan of Delaware County.
“District attorneys are strong advocates of victims’ rights and protectors of our communities. I am pleased that my colleagues have joined my campaign, which focuses on restoring integrity and fairness to the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania,” Warren said.
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The Pennsylvania Bar Association Judicial Evaluation Commission released ratings for statewide judicial candidates.
Supreme Court candidates receiving a highly recommended rating were Cheryl Allen, Christine Donohue, Anne Lazarus, Correale Stevens and David Wecht. Receiving recommended ratings were John Bender, Kevin Dougherty, John Foradora, Michael George, Renee Cohn Jubelirer, Paul Panepinto and Dwayne Woodruff. Receiving a not recommended rating was Rebecca Warren.
For Superior Court, Robert Colville earned a highly recommended rating. Receiving recommended ratings were Alice Dubow, Emil Giordano, Paul Panepinto, Douglas Reichley and David Robbins.
Commonwealth Court candidates receiving recommended ratings were Todd Eagen, Emil Giordano, Paul Lalley, Paul Panepinto, Scot Withers and Michael Wojcik.
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Joe Torsella, former CEO of the National Constitution Center, has raised more than $1 million for next year’s race for state treasurer.
Torsella, who lost a congressional primary race to Allyson Schwartz in 2004, will be seeking the Democratic nomination.
“I’m running for state treasurer because it’s a job that has a significant impact on the lives of Pennsylvanians — making higher education more affordable for the middle class through the 529 college savings program, building the economic security of families and seniors, and protecting the investments of our citizens,” he said.
Torsella, his wife and four children live in Flourtown. ••
