Matt Wolfe, a Republican candidate for City Council at large, reiterated his support for Pete Smith, the GOP challenger in the 6th Councilmanic District, just as he senses some party officials are less than supportive.
Smith is a graduate of St. Leo and Father Judge and, like Wolfe, has a degree from Penn. He is a block captain organizer and former president of the Tacony Civic Association.
Wolfe notes that City Councilman Bobby Henon (D-6th dist.) is facing federal corruption charges.
“I urge Philadelphians to read the indictment,” he said. “It is not full of legalese but recounts many wiretapped conversations involving Henon demonstrating his immoral and criminal behavior.”
As for the Republicans who Wolfe believes are less than supportive of Smith. Wolfe said, “They are incredibly more beholden to what are literally the criminal elements of Philadelphia politics rather than its citizens.”
Wolfe has called for Henon to resign and for Council to remove him as majority leader and strip him of his committee assignments. He said it is “instructive” that Henon had no opponent in the Democratic primary, and no member of Council has called for his resignation.
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Working Families Party at-large City Council candidates Kendra Brooks and Nicolas O’Rourke are garnering support in their effort to win two of seven seats in the Nov. 5 elections.
The race features a field of 17, including five Democrats, five Republicans and seven independent and minor-party candidates.
As the five Democrats are shoo-ins, Brooks and O’Rourke are targeting the two seats traditionally won by Republicans.
Brooks and O’Rourke have been endorsed by the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
Others backing Brooks and O’Rourke are One Pennsylvania, CADBI (Coalition to Abolish Death By Incarceration), Neighborhood Networks, Sunrise Movement Philadelphia and state Reps. Chris Rabb, Elizabeth Fiedler and Malcolm Kenyatta.
“We are excited to endorse Kendra Brooks and Pastor Nicolas O’Rourke because we want to kick the Republicans off of City Council and put two progressive champions who want to end mass incarceration in their place,” said Lorraine Haw, of CADBI, which has been a supporter of District Attorney Larry Krasner and Councilwoman Helen Gym.
Brooks has secured the additional endorsements of 215 People’s Alliance, the Progressive Change Campaign Committee and Democracy for America.
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The Republican City Committee will hold the 35th annual Billy Meehan Clambake on Sunday, Aug. 25, from 4 to 8 p.m. at Cannstatter’s, 9130 Academy Road.
Tickets cost $100.
Local and statewide candidates and elected officials will be in attendance. ••
