Thursday, December 24, 2015

IBEW's Dougherty 'encouraging' western Pa. DA in AG race



Stephen Zappala, Allegheny County DA and Democratic candidate for Attorney General, is getting some help from a major Philly power broker.

John Dougherty, Business Manager of IBEW 98, has been making calls on behalf of Zappala. “Johnny Doc," as he’s frequently called, is a big player in Philadelphia politics. His support was crucial to Mayor-Elect Jim Kenney and this year his brother even won a spot on the PA Supreme Court.


While Marks said that while Dougherty hasn’t made any formal endorsement, the labor leader head has been “very encouraging” towards Zappala and has reached out to others, telling them that he believes Zappala is a “strong candidate."

Marks also pointed out that consultant Ken Snyder and pollster Anna Greenberg are working on the campaign. Snyder and Greenberg are two long-time Dougherty allies who worked for Jim Kenney this year.

Dougherty isn’t the only major Philadelphia politico to lend a hand (if not a specific endorsement) to the Allegheny resident. Congressman Bob Brady, who is also head of Philly’s Democratic Party, praised Zappala when he formally announced his campaign.

Considering Zappala’s biggest challenger in the Democratic primary will most likely be Montgomery County Commissioner Josh Shapiro, the SEPA support for the West PA native is intriguing to say the least.

Other candidates running for the 2016 Democratic nomination for Attorney General include Dave Fawcett, John Morganelli, and Jack Stollsteimer.

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