Guv candidates debate urban issues

PHILADELPHIA— Four candidates for governor came together just one block north of city hall here Thursday night to field questions about issues confronting Pennsylvania’s cities in what was one of the first gubernatorial debates to feature candidates from both parties.

The event, featuring Democrats Joe Hoeffel, Dan Onorato and Jack Wagner, as well as Republican Sam Rohrer, was sponsored by he Coalition for Essential Services and Philly Neighborhood Networks and held at Arch Street Methodist …

February 19, 2010 at 9:00 am | Comments (5)

Who won, who lost and who broke even at DemFest

With Democratic State Committee votes counted and endorsements given—or not given—it’s time to score where the candidates are with just 14 weeks until primary day.

WINNERS

Arlen Specter: pAnthony Williams: Who would have thought that an undeclared candidate could go so far? Williams still isn’t even in the race for governor, but the state senator had big support in his hometown of Philadelphia and a href="http://www.pa2010.com/2010/02/anthony-williams-big-day/" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.pa2010.com']);return TrackClick("http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pa2010.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fanthony-williams-big-day%2F','survived+the+first-ballot+voting')" target="_blank"survived the first-ballot voting/a. If his a href="http://www.pa2010.com/2010/02/williams-says-hes-formed-committee-raised-500k/" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.pa2010.com']);return TrackClick("http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pa2010.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fwilliams-says-hes-formed-committee-raised-500k%2F','claims+of+early+fundraising+success')" target="_blank">claims of early fundraising success prove true and he gets into the race, he could find himself assuming the mantle of southeast favorite with ease.

LOSERS

Joe Hoeffel: It’s clear why he pChris Doherty: If perception is reality in politics, then there’s simply no denying that the vibe coming from the Scranton Mayor’s campaign has changed considerably in recent weeks. A a href="http://www.pa2010.com/2010/01/dohertys-campaign-manager-out-he-turns-to-sister/" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.pa2010.com']);return TrackClick("http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pa2010.com%2F2010%2F01%2Fdohertys-campaign-manager-out-he-turns-to-sister%2F','campaign+manager+departed')" target="_blank">campaign manager departed. Finance reports showed him with little cash to speak of. And …

February 7, 2010 at 4:56 pm | Comments (12)

Anthony Williams’ big day

LANCASTER—State Senator Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia) almost seemed to come out of nowhere.

Just two weeks after chatter about a potential gubernatorial run kicked up, and despite not even declaring his candidacy, Williams was a surprise winner at the Democratic State Committee meeting here. He had overwhelming support from within Philadelphia, and found pockets of support elsewhere—even without his name on a printed ballots. He survived to second-ballot voting, p“There’s obviously a message in what I’m saying that resonates in the Democratic Party,” Williams said after ta href="http://www.pa2010.com/2010/02/wagner-wins-majority-of-party-votes-but-no-endorsement/" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.pa2010.com']);return TrackClick("http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pa2010.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fwagner-wins-majority-of-party-votes-but-no-endorsement%2F','he+party+failed+to+endorse+a+candidate+for+governor')" target="_blank"he party failed to endorse a candidate for governor/a on Saturday. While the vast majority of his support was seen as coming from Philadelphia party chairman Bob Brady, Williams noted that votes had popped up in other areas of the state, too. He a href="http://www.pa2010.com/2010/02/williams-says-hes-formed-committee-raised-500k/" onclick="javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackEvent','outbound-article','http://www.pa2010.com']);return TrackClick("http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pa2010.com%2F2010%2F02%2Fwilliams-says-hes-formed-committee-raised-500k%2F','says+he%22s+already+raised+half-a-million')" target="_blank">says he’s already raised half-a-million, with …

February 6, 2010 at 3:47 pm | Comments (11)

Williams says he’s formed committee, raised $500K

LANCASTER—After joining his potential primary opponents on a stage for the first time here Friday night, state Senator Anthony Williams made a claim that is sure to turn heads—and maybe raise some skeptical eyebrows.

Not only has Williams formed a committee to explore running for governor, he’s already raised about half-a-million dollars.

“I obviously have a viable chance and a platform from which to be heard,” Williams told pa2010.com at the Democratic State Committee meeting.…

February 5, 2010 at 8:31 pm | Comments (6)

Williams to make decision on guv race in a few weeks

Democratic primary voters go to the polls to nominate a candidate for governor in less than four months, but state Senator Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia) doesn’t seem to be in too much of a hurry to decide whether or not he’s going to run.

Williams, who has been making waves in local political circles by suggesting he might jump into the race after businessman Tom Knox jumped out, would have to play an intense game of …

January 27, 2010 at 1:12 pm | Comments (0)