In other political news: Joe DeFelice, chairman of the Philadelphia Republican Party, released a statement encouraging the House to end Mayor Jim Kenney’s sanctuary city policy. TIMES FILE PHOTO
The public is invited to two upcoming political forums.
The Bakers Bay Civic Association will welcome candidates on Thursday, Oct. 20, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served. Bakers Bay is at 5100 Convent Lane (at State Road), south of Fitler Street. The event is in the clubhouse. Candidates for president, U.S. Senate and House, attorney general, auditor general, treasurer and state Senate and House have been invited.
Also, Congregations of Shaare Shamayim will host a free brunch on Sunday, Oct. 23, at 10 a.m. The synagogue is at 9768 Verree Road.
Candidates wanting to attend either event can call Ruth Horwitz at 215–913–1991.
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Joe DeFelice, chairman of the Philadelphia Republican Party, released a statement encouraging the state House of Representatives to pass HB 1885 and end Mayor Jim Kenney’s sanctuary city policy.
“We are heartened to see the PA state legislature move to punish cities like Philadelphia that flout federal law by shielding convicted criminals from deportation. If you believe our city has enough crime already and that immigration laws should be enforced for people here committing crimes, then you are opposed to sanctuary cities. Surely, any victim of a crime caused by the mayor’s policy will be comforted to know they will have means to seek recourse via this bill. More importantly, HB 1885 will shine a spotlight on what this policy really does: ties the hands of local law enforcement from deporting criminals who also happen to be illegal immigrants,” DeFelice said.
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State Rep. Angel Cruz and former City Councilman Angel Ortiz helped launch “Pennsylvania Latinos for Hillary” last week during an event at a Clinton office at 4426 Frankford Ave.
The group backs Clinton, in part, because she favors a path to citizenship for illegal immigrants. Members are also disturbed that Donald Trump allegedly referred to a former Miss Universe from Venezuela as “Miss Housekeeping,” wants to build a wall along the Mexican border and wants to deport illegal immigrants.
Councilwoman Maria Quiñones Sánchez said, “Donald Trump has a long history of insulting and demeaning women and Latinos, and as president it is clear that his pattern of misogyny and bigotry would only continue. We must come out to vote in November and elect Hillary Clinton, as she is the only candidate who stands with us and will work tirelessly to empower women and improve our communities.”
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Pat Toomey unveiled a television ad featuring the Murnaghan family of Delaware County.
Three years ago, 10-year old Sarah had only one week to live, and urgently needed a lung transplant, but government rules gave people under 12 a smaller chance of getting a transplant. Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, refused to intervene to grant an exception to the rule.
Toomey fought successfully for new transplant rules, and Murnaghan received her lifesaving operation.
“When we needed help the most, Sen. Toomey moved heaven and earth for Sarah and for children all over the country like her,” said Sarah’s mother, Janet. “We are grateful to have someone like Sen. Toomey looking out for us in Washington, who will go above and beyond to help ordinary people.”
In the ad, Sarah says, “I want people to know that Sen. Toomey is really, really nice. He cares about people, so it would be a good idea to vote for him.”
After the senator says, “I’m Pat Toomey, and I approve this message,” Sarah replies, “And so do I.”
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In other news, the American Medical Association PAC and the Pennsylvania Medical Society PAC announced their support for Toomey for re-election.
“His record as a member of the Senate over the past six years clearly demonstrates that Sen. Toomey understands the challenges facing physicians in our health care delivery system,” said Dr. John Wright.
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Joe Khan, a Democratic candidate for district attorney, called on the Pennsylvania General Assembly to reform ethical requirements for public officials.
If elected, Khan will not accept any gifts from friends or special interests with business before the district attorney’s office.
Khan is challenging incumbent Seth Williams in the primary. Williams in August amended his statements of financial interests, listing more than $160,000 in gifts from 2010–15.
“Seth has lost his way and mismanaged a great office, distracting our attention from the issues that matter with scandal after scandal,” Khan told WPHT’s Dom Giordano. “His claim that none of these people ever asked him for any official actions raises more questions than it answers. It’s time for Seth to come clean and tell the whole story about how much these gifts were really worth and why these ‘friends’ were giving them to the district attorney of Philadelphia.”
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Matt Darragh, the Democratic nominee in the 170th Legislative District, held a fundraiser Saturday night at the Plumbers Local 690 catering hall.
Darragh is challenging Republican Rep. Martina White.
“It costs a lot of money to get your message out,” he said.
Among those in attendance were state Sen. John Sabatina Jr. and ward leaders Mike McAleer and Shawn Dillon.
Darragh said his campaign, led by Dan Kalai and Gary Masino, is executing its strategy of knocking on doors, raising money, running newspaper and televisions ads and reaching voters by mail.
Darragh, who works for the auditor general’s office, has a palm card declaring himself “the only homeowner in the race” and labels White as a “renter who has never paid property taxes … ever.” He used the same attack against primary opponent Fran Nelms.
The card also knocks White for opposing abortion, supporting the use of tax dollars for private schools and backing Donald Trump.
“I’m not going to get out-knocked,” he said.
Darragh believes he is catching up to White in name recognition.
“I feel it’s going to be a very tight election, a coin flip,” he said.
Darragh and White will meet for a debate on Thursday, Oct. 27, at 7 p.m. at Somerton Youth Organization.
At the fundraiser, the Times caught up with Sabatina, who has been challenged to a debate by Republican Ross Feinberg. Feinberg set the debate for Thursday, Oct. 13, at 3:30 p.m. at Curran’s Irish Inn, 6900 State Road. Sabatina does not seem eager to debate on Feinberg’s terms, though he did not rule out showing up.
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Darragh last week was endorsed by the Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club.
The group also backed Auditor General Eugene DePasquale.
Previously, the organization endorsed the Hillary Clinton/Tim Kaine ticket for president and vice president, Katie McGinty for U.S. Senate, Josh Shapiro for attorney general and Joe Hohenstein for state representative in the 177th Legislative District. ••
