Saidel launching first TV ad Friday

Democratic Lieutenant Governor candidate Jonathan Saidel is set to hit the airwaves with his first campaign ad Friday, a 30-second spot that highlights his role as Philadelphia’s fiscal watchdog in the 1990s.

The 30-second spot is airing in every media market except Philadelphia, the campaign said, where Saidel’s name recognition is high from years as the city controller. Saidel, the party’s endorsed candidate and the overwhelming favorite in the May 18 primary, appears to be…

May 6, 2010 at 1:00 pm | Comments (20)

Rendell endorses Saidel for Lt. Gov.

Gov. Ed Rendell formally endorsed Jonathan Saidel for Lieutenant Governor on Tuesday night, saying “Philadelphia would not have turned around in the 90s without Jonathan Saidel’s leadership.”

The endorsement, delivered by a video message during a campaign fundraiser in Philadelphia, put the full weight of the state’s Democratic Party behind Saidel’s candidacy. Rendell’s support had largely been assumed for months—the two are longtime allies, and the state party endorsed Saidel on a standing voice vote…

May 5, 2010 at 8:00 am | Comments (3)

Metcalfe to illegals: Leave or go to jail

State Representative Daryl Metcalfe (R-Butler) on Tuesday unveiled his own “Arizona-style” immigration law, one that would create a new state-level criminal offense for being in Pennsylvania illegally and require law enforcement to verify the status of those they suspect are illegal immigrants.

His legislative package, which he called National Security Begins at Home, came as the conservative firebrand has sought to carve out a niche to the right of his eight other primary opponents for…

May 5, 2010 at 6:46 am | Comments (6)

Diamond wants letter-writing campaign for Veon sentence

Reform guru and Republican Lieutenant Governor hopeful Russ Diamond wants former state Representative Mike Veon to get a stiff sentence for his conviction in the so-called “Bonsugate” corruption case—and he’s calling for help in making it happen.

Diamond, who founded PACleanSweep in the wake of the infamous 2005 legislative pay raise, asked Tuesday for people to write letters Common Pleas Court Judge Richard A. Lewis to make sure Veon gets the punishment he deserves, citing…

May 4, 2010 at 3:58 pm | Comments (4)

Metcalfe wants ‘Arizona-style’ immigration law

State Representative and Republican Lieutenant Governor candidate Daryl Metcalfe wants Pennsylvania to adopt an “Arizona-style” immigration law, with the border state’s controversial new law continuing to ripple across Keystone State politics.

Metcalfe, who has positioned himself as the true conservative in the crowded, nine-person primary for Lt. Gov., will hold a news conference Tuesday morning in Harrisburg to roll out his proposed legislation. His office did not provide specific details, but said the measure would…

May 1, 2010 at 2:30 pm | Comments (11)

LEFTOVERS: Endorsements for Onorato, Wagner, Saidel and Marino

There were a handful of endorsements up and down the ballot on Monday.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dan Onorato got the backing of Dauphin County Commissioner George Hartwick during a news conference inside the Capitol in Harrisburg. “I am pleased to endorse Dan Onorato, someone who has the experience of reviving local communities and a clear record of leadership, particularly on public safety issues,” Hartwick said in a statement. “Dan has revived Allegheny County and I…

April 27, 2010 at 12:43 am | Comments (7)

Cawley camp says it’s on the air

Bucks County Commissioner Jim Cawley is the first candidate to buy TV time in the GOP’s crowded primary for Lieutenant Governor, his campaign said Monday.

The 30-second spot emphasizes that Cawley is the party’s endorsed candidate in the field of nine, and continues the campaign’s efforts to tie him to presumptive Republican gubernatorial nominee Tom Corbett. The size of the initial ad buy was unclear Monday afternoon; Cawley had relatively little campaign cash at the…

April 26, 2010 at 2:43 pm | Comments (8)

Saidel’s new job: Corbett critic-in-chief

Ever since Democrat Jonathan Saidel won the state party’s endorsement for Lieutenant Governor earlier this year, the former Philadelphia city controller has slowly but surely been pivoting to a new role: primary attack dog against Republican gubernatorial front-runner Tom Corbett.

What started as little more than off-the-cuff jokes at Democratic committee meetings mushroomed into full-throated criticism when Corbett joined in a lawsuit seeking to block the new health care reform law. Saidel quickly started an…

April 26, 2010 at 12:15 pm | Comments (12)

LEFTOVERS: Dog lovers for Wagner, black clergy for Specter, RLC for Diamond, Murphy’s money

There were a few statewide endorsements that slipped by us recently.

Auditor Jack Wagner’s gubernatorial candidacy was backed by the Pennsylvania League of Humane Voters. The endorsement, announced Monday, was apparently given during a news conference Saturday in Lancaster. “The Pennsylvania chapter’s endorsement is based on Jack Wagner’s love for animals and his respect for our work,” the group said in a statement. “We also appreciate his support for several of our key issues, including…

April 19, 2010 at 11:45 pm | Comments (0)

Pittsburgh ward endorses Sestak, Hoeffel

The largest organization of Democrats in Pittsburgh went decidedly anti-establishment with its statewide endorsements Sunday.

The 14th Ward Independent Democratic Club voted to back Congressman Joe Sestak (D-7) in his insurgent bid against incumbent Arlen Specter. And the group, representing a ward with more than 18,000 Democrats, endorsed Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel for governor.

“For more than four decades, the club’s endorsement has helped candidates to receive a larger number of votes than they…

April 19, 2010 at 9:37 am | Comments (12)