Republicans and Democrats are gearing up for the fall campaign, which traditionally gears up on Labor Day.
As for the GOP, a fundraiser was held recently at Nick’s Roast Beef for Jim Hasher, Republican candidate for City Council at large.
Hasher is one of nine candidates for seven seats in the Nov. 7 election.
The five Democrats are sure winners. Hasher and fellow Republican Drew Murray are vying for the other two seats with the Working Families Party’s Kendra Brooks and Nicolas O’Rourke. Republicans are challenging Brooks and O’Rourke in court, arguing they signed their statements of financial interests electronically, not with a pen or pencil, as required.
Republicans Frank Cristinzio, Gary Grisafi and Mary Jane Kelly dropped out recently, setting up Hasher and Murray to go head to head with Brooks, an incumbent, and O’Rourke.
Pat Hasher, son of the candidate, said funds raised will help in voter registration, encouraging mail-in balloting and get-out-the-vote operations.
State Rep. Martina White said she backs Hasher because of his support of law enforcement and focus on safe streets, education and creating high-paying jobs.
Hasher, a married father of five boys, is president of Torresdale Boys Club. He said he will work 365 days a year and be a voice for young people.
Hasher said the Working Families Party does not support working families. Instead, he said, its candidates support safe injection sites and defunding the police, and oppose the 76ers arena.
“They’re hypocrites,” he said.
Hasher, who has been endorsed by the building trades, supports the proposed new 76ers arena.
“It’s 10,000 union jobs,” he said, adding that there will be an affordable housing component of the project.
Others in attendance included party boss Vince Fenerty, Municipal Court candidate Rania Major, sheriff candidate Mark LaVelle, city elections commissioner Seth Bluestein, former Councilman Al Taubenberger, former boxing champion “The New” Ray Robinson, ward leaders and representatives of labor and law enforcement.
Bluestein is almost guaranteed a four-year term after the Working Families Party’s Jarrett Smith dropped out of the race when his candidacy was challenged for failing to file a financial disclosure form with the city.
Meanwhile, Philadelphia Democrats headed to North Wildwood, New Jersey on Aug. 19 to attend the annual Brady Bash, held at The Inlet.
Bob Brady, the longtime party chairman and former congressman, organized the fundraiser. ••
