Scott Wagner, Republican candidate for governor, criticized Mayor Jim Kenney for not providing agents with arrest data.
Scott Wagner, the Republican candidate for governor, on Monday denounced Mayor Jim Kenney for terminating a contract that provided Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents with arrest data that is useful in determining the whereabouts of people who are in the United States illegally.
“It’s a matter of public safety,” Wagner said. “Our public officials’ greatest responsibility is to protect our citizens. The fact that Mayor Kenney is choosing to put his liberal political philosophy ahead of the safety of his citizens is unthinkable.”
Wagner is calling for a new state law preventing similar actions.
“As governor, I will work with the legislature to pass a law pre-empting actions like Mayor Kenney’s. I would hope that Gov. Wolf will do the same, but all that we’ve seen from the governor is weak-willed pandering and cowardice. I will be a governor that will unapologetically stand up for the safety of our citizens in every instance.”
Wagner, a former state senator, co-sponsored SB 10, a measure to outlaw sanctuary cities in the state, The legislation passed the Senate in February with the votes of all Republicans and three Democrats.
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Congregations of Shaare Shamayim, 9768 Verree Road, will host a political candidates forum on Sunday, Oct. 14, at 10 a.m.
A free brunch will be available.
Candidates from the city and nearby suburbs are welcome to attend.
There will also be a candidates forum on Thursday, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m. at the Bakers Bay clubhouse, 5100 Convent Lane (at State Road) in East Torresdale. The public is welcome.
Ruth Horwitz will moderate both events. ••
