Also this issue: Sam I Am Mayoral candidate Sam Katz purrs about Santorum, Dems who support him and begging for cash. Don't Tread on Me Ain’t no black folks buried under here, but you whites better watch out anyway. -Deborah Bolling Byko Bye Bye? Philly’s gossip king seeks new dominion. -Deborah Bolling Trainsuing -Deborah Bolling Gorilla Thrilla (And Beanie Sigel Too) -Brendan McGarvey The Bell Curve City Paper's weekly gauge of Philly's Quality of Life

July 10-16, 2003

political notebook

I'm My Own Man

by Mary F. Patel

Republican mayoral candidate Sam Katz won’t be giving any more donations to U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum any time soon.

Some time ago, Katz gave fellow Republican Santorum a $10,000 contribution. When the contribution was disclosed recently in the Inquirer, many were surprised, since Katz is supportive of the gay and lesbian community and Santorum is not.

Santorum raised the community's ire when he made disparaging remarks about them during an interview with the Associated Press. In the interview about the Texas sodomy law then pending in the Supreme Court, Santorum compared homosexuality to incest, bigamy and adultery. Gays became angry and it sparked criticism from Democrats, who called for his resignation. (The Supreme Court has since ruled the sodomy laws are unconstitutional.)

In a recent interview at City Paper, Katz said he gave Santorum the money before he made the remarks and that he disagreed with Santorum on his anti-gay positions. Katz did say that he agrees with Santorum on other issues, such as Santorum's pro-Israel stance.

Katz is looking for support from gay and lesbian organizations. So what do they have to say about his contribution to Santorum?

Mark Segal, president of the Pride of Philadelphia Election Committee (POPEC), had some strong words for Katz.

Segal interviewed Katz before Katz's $10,000 contribution to Santorum became public.

"I feel like I was deceived," said Segal. "Sam should have disclosed that [campaign contribution] during our lunch interview while he was asking for support. That was bad, bad, bad!"

POPEC endorsed Katz over John Street for mayor in 1999.

Doug Shaps, the executive director of OutFront!, a gay and lesbian lobbying organization, said that the board has not yet met for any endorsements and will not be looking at any one specific issue for either Katz or his second-time opponent, incumbent Mayor Street.

Steve Black, chair of the Pennsylvania Gay and Lesbian Alliance (PA-GALA), could not be reached before press time.

John Partain, Philadelphia president of Log Cabin, a national gay Republican organization, was unconcerned about the Katz contribution.

"Sam Katz has always been supportive of gays and he is running a very diverse campaign," said Partain. "We don't endorse one person on one issue, and we agree to disagree. Rick condemned our society and we need to reach out and educate Rick," he said. Partain added that Log Cabin was involved in Pride for Katz, a citywide coalition of gay and lesbian supporters of Katz.

Michael Stara, state president of Log Cabin, agreed with Partain.

"Katz's support of Santorum is in no way tied to Santorum's position on gays," said Stara.

Meanwhile, Santorum's ultra-conservative views have fueled his opposition. Santorum is up for re-election in 2006 after serving two six-year terms. U.S. senators have no term limits.

Rumors abound that State Treasurer Barbara Hafer will run against Santorum as a Democrat. Hafer, now a Republican, will end her second four-year term in 2004 and cannot run for re-election because of the state term limits.

Hafer, who was the state auditor general prior to being elected as treasurer, is pro-choice and gay-friendly and has been criticized by fellow Republicans for having too much Democratic support, and for supporting Democrats like Gov. Ed Rendell.

Rendell, meanwhile, is said to be behind Hafer's race.

Rendell spokesperson Kate Philips said, "It's premature to comment at this time."

No word from Hafer's press office.

Round Two

Andrew Hohns made a "soft announcement" of his candidacy Tuesday at Marathon Grill in Commerce Square. Hohns is planning to run again against incumbent State Rep. Babette Josephs next year. Josephs represents the 182nd legislative district.

"The campaign will be sophisticated, mature and well-funded," said Hohns, who is now 25.

Hohns gave Josephs a run for her money last year in the Democratic primary and said that the legislative district is left with "no voice."

Voice or no voice, Josephs beat Hohns by 1,844 votes and did particularly well in the Eighth Ward, where both she and Hohns reside.

Hohns was elected as a committeeman last year in the Eighth Ward and said that Ward Leader Norman Berson has been polite.

"This is our first fundraiser, we are laying the groundwork and I am happy to see such a positive response in the middle of summer," said Hohns, who added that more than 75 people had confirmed their attendance.

Josephs was nonplussed. "Right now, I am in Harrisburg working to get the Rendell agenda passed and I am baffled by someone who lost by 16 points, who wants to lose again. I suspect he will drop out," said Josephs.

Neilson Rates

Ed Neilson, former political director for Local 98 and close friend of 98 Business Manager John Dougherty, has a new gig; Gov. Rendell appointed him to be the deputy secretary of labor and industry. Local 98 was instrumental in Rendell’s election last year.