Getting a head start, Saidel holds a fundraiser

Former Philadelphia City Controller Jonathan Saidel was one of the first people to signal his intention to run for Lieutenant Governor, and ever since then he’s been trying to get a head start on the race.

The momentum the Democrat hopes to build was on display Wednesday evening at a fundraiser he held at The Phildelphia Zoo. The Inquirer reports that Saidel raised $80,000 at the event doubling as his 58th birthday party.

Philadelphia City Council members Frank DiCicco, Bill Green and William Greenlee were all on hand, The Inquirer reports, as was state Senator Larry Farnese (D-Philadelphia) and Allegheny County Democratic Chairman Jim Burn.

Saidel is the only Democrat to signal he is definitely running for the second-ticket office, but numerous Rebpublicans are in the race. Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty and Bucks County Democratic chairman John Cordisco are also considering a Democratic primary run.