Democratic ward leaders and elected officials appeared on Sunday at Nick’s Roast Beef, 4501 Woodhaven Road, in support of Mike Doyle, the party’s candidate in the 170th Legislative District.
Doyle is challenging Republican Rep. Martina White. She is the only GOP lawmaker whose House district is completely within city limits. The district of Rep. Tom Murt, who is not seeking another term, includes portions of Bustleton.
Among those in attendance were U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle; state Reps. Joe Hohenstein and Kevin Boyle; ward leaders Jim Donnelly, Shawn Dillon, Bill Dolbow, Pat Parkinson and Janice Sulman; and Nancy Guenst, the Democrat seeking Murt’s seat.
Democrats are trying to capture the state House and Senate, long dominated by Republicans.
Brendan Boyle held the 170th district seat from 2009-14. White won the seat in a 2015 special election.
Boyle said he believes in Doyle and thinks he is the better candidate in the race. The congressman said Democratic values are better than those of Republicans, pointing out that Pennsylvania’s $7.25 minimum wage is lower than border states and has not been raised since 2009.
“We need Democrats in charge from the state House to the White House,” Boyle said.
Doyle’s campaign said he has raised more than $120,000, including in-kind contributions. The House Democratic Campaign Committee is conducting a poll to gauge the state of the race.
Democratic infighting helped lead to White’s victory in 2015 and a bruising Democratic primary in the 5th Senatorial District the following year.
Sunday’s gathering was billed as a unity event, but numerous elected officials who were confirmed to attend did not show up. ••
