Candidates at the clambake discussed views on sanctuary cities and taxes.
The Republican Party of Philadelphia held its annual clambake on Sunday at Cannstatter’s, with this year’s candidates addressing the crowd from the platform.
On stage were U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta, running for Senate; Scott Wagner and Jeff Bartos, running for governor and lieutenant governor, respectively; congressional candidates David Torres, Bryan Leib and Pearl Kim; state Rep. Martina White; and state legislative candidates Patty-Pat Kozlowski, Sean Stevens and Milton Street.
Barletta declared he is pro-life and against sanctuary cities, adding that he voted for the recent tax cuts that have helped contribute to the low unemployment rate. He criticized Sen. Bob Casey Jr. for opposing President Donald Trump’s Supreme Court nominee before the announcement was even made, calling Casey one of the most liberal members of the Senate.
“This race is getting closer and closer as we get around the state,” he said.
Wagner, calling himself a blue-collar guy who grew up on a farm, said the clambake marked his 540th event in his campaign.
“What’s going to push us across the finish line is Philadelphia,” he said.
White said she will continue to support law enforcement, argue for school funding and accountability of the money and provide services for veterans.
“We need more Philadelphia Republicans out in Harrisburg,” she said.
White hopes Kozlowski joins her next year.
“I have big sneakers to fill with John Taylor,” Kozlowski said of the retiring representative.
Kozlowski, a former staffer for the late Democratic Councilwoman Joan Krajewski, said she has regular campaign strategy sessions at the Mercer Cafe and has knocked on almost 10,000 doors.
“I love the Northeast and the River Wards,” she said.
Others in attendance included City Councilmen Brian O’Neill, Al Taubenberger and David Oh; elections Commissioner Al Schmidt; U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick; state Rep. Gene DiGirolamo; former state House Speaker John Perzel; former Councilmen Jack Kelly and Rick Mariano; former state Rep. Scott Petri; Beth Grossman and Mike Tomlinson, the GOP’s 2017 candidates for district attorney and city controller, respectively; and likely 2019 at-large Council candidates Irina Goldstein, Dan Tinney and Bill Heeney.
Republicans observed a moment of silence in memory of Arizona Sen. John McCain.
Entertainment was provided by the band Blu Dogz.
Patty-Pat Kozlowski, the Republican candidate in the 177th Legislative District, last week held a women’s self-defense course at the Mayfair Community Center.
Kozlowski is the former volunteer assistant director of the Police Athletic League’s Positive Images Program, geared toward girls ages 11–17.
“I was very proud that every PAL girl who took those self-defense classes knew how to break a knee of her attacker and then get away,” she said.
For last week’s free course and a previous one in Bridesburg, Kozlowski joined forces with Lyn Truszkowski, a retired parole officer, and Stephanie Gimen, distributor of Damsel In Defense products.
Kozlowski gave each participant a goody bag that consisted of sunglasses, pepper spray and a slice of Stock’s pound cake, and some women won raffle prizes, including a stun gun.
Truszkowski owns a gun, but said pepper spray is important because guns are not allowed in a lot of public places.
Kozlowski promises women, “You will leave that workshop knowing how to break a knee.”
The course is about self defense and getting away from an attacker, not learning to become a street fighter.
Truszkowski, who owns a shirt that reads, “Not today, stalker,” told the women to be aware of their surroundings and make eye contact with others in their path. They shouldn’t wear earbuds or be using their cell phones while walking alone. She had the participants repeat, “I will not be a victim. I refuse to be a victim.” They should give up their purses if attacked, but not carry an expensive bag with a lot of money or important items in it.
If women are attacked, Truszkowski said they should yell, “Fire,” instead of, “Help,” because more people will get involved. Gimeno suggested hollering, “I don’t know you.”
Truszkowski said pressure points to get away from an attacker include the bottom of the throat, the thigh, forearm, bottom of the leg, base of the nose and side of the neck. Using the palm of your hand, elbows and knees are also good tactics, she said, adding that head butts work if the attacker comes from behind.
Gimeno said offense is the best defense for women. She said pepper spray should be used in a Z formation on the eyes, nose and mouth and also used on an attacker’s shirt so he can’t wipe his eyes. She also sells striking tools, whistles and other items. Call her at 215–696–7428 or visit damselequip.com
“I hope you never have to use what you learned tonight or your pepper spray,” Kozlowski said.
Daryl Boling, the Democratic candidate in the 152nd Legislative District, will hold a campaign office opening at 801 Easton Road (Suite 7), in Willow Grove, starting at 11 a.m., on Saturday, Sept. 8.
Snacks and beverages will be available, and Boling will speak about the campaign alongside community members and local elected officials.
Volunteers will knock on doors in Upper Moreland or call or text voters at the office.
Boling is challenging Republican Rep. Tom Murt.
Jon Meacham will discuss his new book, The Soul of America: The Battle for Our Better Angels, on Thursday, Sept. 20, from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Patriots Gallery of the Museum of the American Revolution, at 3rd and Chestnut streets.
Meacham, a staunch critic of President Donald Trump who often appears on left-wing MSNBC programs, writes that America has been through worse and survived. He explores dark moments in American history and argues that the current climate of partisan division is not new. He sheds light on the present moment in American politics and life by looking back at critical times in U.S. history when hope overcame division and fear.
President Abraham Lincoln called decency, generosity and integrity “the better angels of our nature.”
Ticket prices are $30 for students, $35 for members and $45 for general admission, and include a signed copy of Meacham’s book.
To buy tickets, go here.
The event is the second annual Carl Buchholz Memorial Lecture, a series established by the generosity of the family, friends and colleagues of the late Carl Buchholz, former vice chairman of the museum’s board of directors. The series was created to honor his public service and to explore the political thought of the American Revolution and its national relevance today. Those interested in contributing to the endowment for this annual lecture can email [email protected] ••
