POLS ON THE STREET: Labor Was Key To High Philadelphia Turnout For Wolf

Glad we were not alone in predicting a low turnout. We predicted 18%, which was half of the 36.43% of registered voters who came out to vote. We were not alone, though that doesn’t offer us any consolation.

We believe the efforts put into the Wolf campaign to make it victorious came from the concerted efforts of all the unions in this town to bring out the impressive turnout. The Philadelphia margin made the election an early one to call after the polls closed. Unions not only contributed big bucks, but put out their members on election day as well.

Corbett fared poorly elsewhere in the state, compared to his fellow Republicans who did quite well. East of the Susquehanna River, Wolf dominated. Corbett lost marginal counties in the center and west that Republicans need to take when they win statewide. His vigorous backing of Marcellus Shale development did not help him in the wet-gas patch in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

It’s now “13th Dist. Congressman Brendan Boyle”, making it three Philadelphians in Congress. He’ll join Congressmen Bob Brady and Chaka Fattah, all winning in a runaway. His was a long, hard-fought campaign, making it look easy all the way. Brady and Fattah never noticed their opposition. Fattah’s recent blast of bad press only served to reduce his vote by 10,000 from what he received four years ago, in the last midterm election.

Philadelphia voters also swept in the entire Democratic slate for the General Assembly, giving 2nd Dist. State Sen. Christine Tartaglione (D-Kensington) with an 80% edge over Republican John Jenkins, 4th Dist. suburbanite Art Haywood over Robin Gilchrist and 8th Dist. State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams (D-W. Phila.) rolling along without opposition.

Every incumbent who was on the ballot returned to their legislative seats along with newcomers (173rd) Mike Driscoll, (179th) Jason Dawkins, and (197th) Leslie Acosta. Republicans John Taylor (177th) and Thomas Murt (152nd) were unopposed.

The story was different in the suburbs and state, summed up by Republican Party Chair Rob Gleason who commented on the election results, “Republicans in the State Senate have made huge gains with 30 Republican Senators. Throughout the Commonwealth, voters took to the polls to voice their support for their Republican Senate candidates in a convincing fashion.

“I would like to congratulate all of our incumbents who were re-elected as well as Senators-elect Tom McGarrigle, Pat Stefano, Ryan Aument, Mario Scavello and Camera Bartolotta. Congratulations to Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi and every Republican member of the Senate for their work on behalf of our commonwealth, our party, and our candidates.

“I am proud all of our incumbents will return to Harrisburg to continue their good work and I would like to congratulate State Representatives-elect Barry Jozwiak, Parke Wentling, Brett Miller, Jason Ortitay, Ryan Warner, Cris Dush, Harry Lewis, Jr., Richard Irvin, Jeff Wheeland, Russ Diamond, David Parker, Aaron Kaufer, Craig Staats, Tom Quigley, James Santora and Jack Rader, Jr.

“I applaud the efforts of Speaker Sam Smith, Majority Leader Mike Turzai, HRCC Chairman Dave Reed and the entire State House Republican Caucus for their efforts to improve our Commonwealth and recruit great candidates who will make strong public servants.”

State Democratic Chairman Jim Burn saw it a bit differently. He said, “For the past four years, the Pennsylvania Democratic Party and many across the state worked tirelessly to call attention to the direction Gov. Corbett was taking the Commonwealth. This victory for Tom Wolf is a culmination of those efforts and a testimonial to Mr. Wolf’s message, leadership and ability to move our state in a direction that is beneficial to all Pennsylvanians.”

With the House in Republican control as well, Governor-Elect Wolf will find he can’t blow away their house; it’s made of solid bricks and he will need to come knocking with gifts.

The city’s Republican Party candidates put up a good showing, though swamped by the Wolf tide. From local voter sentiment, unhappy over ever-higher taxes and fees, they need only put up candidates who have some recognition and history to make the citywide elections next year a free-for-all.

Source: Philadelphia Public Record