August 26-September 1, 2004

political notebook

by Mary F. Patel

Jockeying in the 4th

While the next mayoral election is just over three years away, insiders are already bandying about some names of key Democrats who might want to fill 4th District City Councilman Michael Nutter's seat — should he decide to run for mayor, that is.

Nutter has not said one way or another what he intends to do when Mayor John Street's term is up, but should he seek higher office, he'll be required to resign his council seat. Word on the street is that there is a very good chance that Nutter will take the plunge, but why would he want to give up his council seat this early?

His councilmanic district covers a wide swath of land including East Falls, Manayunk, Overbrook, Roxborough, Wynnefield and parts of North and West Philly.

Potential candidates being mentioned as a prospective replacement for Nutter are politically connected in way or another. (This is Philadelphia we're talking about. Getting elected is all a matter of who you know.)

Names mentioned so far include Shawn Fordham, a special assistant to the mayor who worked on his re-election campaign last year. He organized a young professional's event in City Hall last June so guests could network and mingle in an informal way with members of the Street administration. Fordham, who just happens to be Street's nephew, could not be reached for comment.

Richard Subbio is the senior policy adviser to U.S. Rep. Bob Brady, who is also the all-powerful Philadelphia Democratic Party chairman. Subbio says the idea of running for Nutter's seat is not out of the question, particularly because some Democrats have been talking about recruiting him.

"But it is entirely up to Bob," Subbio said. "Whatever Bob decides."

Brady is the ward leader of the 34th Ward — one of the city's larger wards, with 42 divisions — and Subbio assists Brady there in his free time. The 34th Ward is crucial in the battle to win Nutter's seat.

Ralph Wynder is leader of the 38th Ward and is a deputy register of wills under Ron Donatucci. Like Subbio, Wynder says he has been approached by Democrats in the district to consider running when the time comes. He would not have to resign his city position because the register of wills' office does not fall under the same rules as other city agencies.

"I am definitely looking at it," says Wynder. He adds that he has plans to hold some small fundraisers. Both Wynder and Subbio say they will not run if Nutter stays in council.

Lou Agre is a lawyer in private practice who is currently representing the local petition circulators for Ralph Nader who say they were never paid by the campaign. He is also leader of the 21st Ward, another large ward with 45 divisions. He beat incumbent ward leader Joe Quigley and former AFL-CIO President Joe Rauscher in a nasty fight back in 2002.

"If Mike resigned, then I would consider my options," says Agre. "But right now, he's the councilman and is doing a good job."

Though Wadell Ridley, Nutter's director of constituent services in his Wynnefield office, has also been mentioned as a possible candidate, he declined to comment on whether he would run for his boss' seat.

Curtis Jones Jr. , a former special assistant to U.S. Rep. Chakah Fattah and currently the CEO and president of Philadelphia Commercial Development Corp., has been rumored to be interested. Jones did not return calls by press time.

Nutter was first elected in 1991, when he beat Councilwoman Ann Land. His district has a mix of black and white constituents, unlike during Land's tenure, when the district was predominantly white.

The Super-Rich Have Feelings Too

While Republicans are preparing for their upcoming convention in New York City, the Democratic Party is getting ready to stage some performances of its own.

On Tuesday, the Democratic National Committee will host a masquerade ball outside the security area of Madison Square Garden. The ball is part of the Democratic counter-programming during the GOP convention. It includes a rapid-response team similar to what the Republicans ran last month in Boston during the Democratic National Convention, when they took over part of a hotel, quickly analyzing and providing ongoing commentary on the Democrats' every move.

The ball's theme will be a satire about Republicans who disguise themselves as moderates. Appearing in support of their candidate will be participants in Billionaires for Bush (B4B), an independent political organization, or 527 group. B4B members include Hallie Burton, Enron Ed, Miss Leader 2004, 50 Billion, K. Ching and Phil T. Rich.

Rich, aka Andrew Boyd, is a founder of B4B, and members of the 75 chapters are invited to attend the ball.

"We will be showing up in proper attire: tuxedos, evening gowns, yachting and tennis attire — custom bling," says Boyd.

Key events the Billionaires plan to host during the convention include a croquet party in Central Park and a Million Billionaire March outside the Plaza Hotel.