Jim Pio, the Republican candidate in the 172nd Legislative District, supports a “Resign to Run” law that would force elected state officials to resign from their current position if they want to run for a different position.
Pio noted that both former Mayor Michael Nutter and Mayor Jim Kenney resigned from City Council to run for mayor.
Last week, Philadelphia held special elections for two state representatives at a cost of an estimated $350,000.
“In the city of Philadelphia, ‘special’ elections are commonplace, and are usually the result of political opportunism or an indictment,” Pio said.
On March 15, the elections were held to replace Democrats Cherelle Parker, who was elected to City Council, and Louise Williams Bishop, who resigned after pleading guilty to a charge relating to her allegedly taking $1,500 in a sting.
Pio said the money spent on the special elections could have been used for schools, the police and fire departments, pension obligations and street maintenance.
“On the state level, the new trend is for elected to officials to run for two seats simultaneously — running for both the position they were elected to and another, better position,” Pio said. “This ensures that, if they do not win the seat they really want, they can still go back to their original elected position. But if they win both seats (or get indicted), we are faced with a ‘special’ election, and the associated costs.”
Pio is challenging Democratic Rep. Kevin Boyle, who is also running for the 5th Senatorial District seat. If Boyle wins the Senate primary, he is expected to drop out of the House race because he’d be an overwhelming favorite in the general election in the Senate race. Democratic ward leaders would choose his replacement in the House race.
Pio said, by running concurrently for two positions, politicians abandon the responsibilities they swore to fulfill when they were elected in order to focus all of their efforts on campaigning for a better job.
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Commonwealth Court Senior Judge James Gardner Colins last week denied a petition by state Rep. Mark Cohen (D-202nd dist.) to set aside the nomination petitions of primary challenger Jared Solomon.
The judge canceled a scheduled March 23 hearing and ordered Cohen to pay court costs.
Cohen is appealing the ruling, contending that many of Solomon’s signatures are invalid because the individuals live outside the district.
Solomon, a lawyer and president of the Take Back Your Neighborhood civic association, said, “We face serious issues in our neighborhood, ranging from the quality-of-life issues that plague our community to the impact that an ongoing budget stalemate has on our schools, nonprofits and hard-working members of our neighborhood. I am ready and waiting to debate Rep. Cohen on the issues affecting our neighbors in this district. It is time for him to join me in a debate and to stop his failed attempts to distract voters.”
Cohen defeated Solomon two years ago by 158 votes.
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The Pennsylvania State Troopers Association unanimously endorsed state Sen. John Sabatina Jr. (D-5th dist.), who is facing a primary challenge from state Rep. Kevin Boyle.
The PSTA wrote to Sabatina that his “experience as a former assistant district attorney in Philadelphia demonstrates your commitment to make Pennsylvania a safe place to live, work, and raise a family.”
Sabatina remarked, “I’m humbled to have earned the endorsement of the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association. I’ve spent my career fighting injustice, and the members of the PSTA know first-hand what it means to work to make our streets safer. I really appreciate their support.”
Sabatina, who served nine years in the Pennsylvania House, has also been endorsed by Lt. Gov. Mike Stack, Sheriff Jewell Williams, former District Attorney Lynne Abraham and 10 unions. ••
