February 17-23, 2005

political notebook

And They're Off -- Almost

by Mary F. Patel

With the May primaries looming, political candidates made the rounds last weekend. The big event was the annual fund-raiser held by OutFront!, a gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender lobbying and advocacy group that invited candidates, both prospective and filed, to its party at a private residence on Rittenhouse Square last Saturday night.

Noteworthy was the appearance of Ellen Green-Ceisler. As director of the Philadelphia Police Department's Integrity and Accountability Office, her job is to ferret out corruption within the ranks.

Green-Ceisler, squired about the soiree by former state House candidate Andrew Hohns, said she is seriously considering running for judge. She plans to make her decision shortly. Should she run, she'll have to resign her current position.

Green-Ceisler made headlines in January 2004 when Philadelphia Police Commissioner Sylvester Johnson publicly blasted Green-Ceisler's 50-page report that detailed false arrest reports, covered-up traffic and sexual-attack cases, and very lenient disciplinary actions against officers who ran afoul of laws and department regulations. The report, based on incidents occurring between January 2000 and May 2002, was produced as part of a court settlement with the city stemming from a 1996 civil rights case against the department.

Despite the criticism, Green-Ceisler stood by her report, a stance that garnered enormous public recognition and national media attention, both of which could help her candidacy should she run. Still, she said she was unsure whether she would receive party support since three of the seven vacancies on Common Pleas Court were filled last week when the state Senate confirmed Gov. Ed Rendell's appointments in Philadelphia County. Glenn Bronson, Charles Cunningham and Susan Schulman will fill vacancies on the bench but must still run as candidates in this year's election to retain their seats. Traditionally, both Democratic and Republican party leaders endorse sitting judges. Candidates seek support from both parties.

City and elected officials in attendance included Michael Williams, a former member of OutFront! who's now Philadelphia deputy finance director and director of the Minority Business Enterprise Council. He was there with his partner, Dr. Tony Rodriguez. Also on hand was city Assistant Managing Director Michael Hinson, state Sen. Shirley Kitchen and state Rep. Babette Josephs. Controller candidate John Braxton arrived at the event with an entourage.

Human Rights Campaign Chief Operating Officer Harvey Hurdle, who also attended, is leaving his position in Washington next month to become the COO of both the lobbying firm Sellers Feinberg and the artist-development company Meridian Creative. Both businesses are owned by OutFront! founder Martin Sellers and his partner Brian Dorsey, a New York actor. (Meridian Creative is an image-maker for actors, helping them to define, sharpen and market their talents. Dorsey said their client list is quickly filling.)

Santorum Watch

Also a presence at the fund-raiser was Charles Pennacchio, who is running in the Democratic primary in 2006 for the seat held by incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum. Pennacchio, a Democrat, is associate professor of history and political science at the University of the Arts. He said he is the only candidate who has already filed with the Federal Election Commission.

"Why can't Democrats build a winning organization for U.S. Senate?" Pennacchio asked. "It's because we never start early enough."

The 45-year-old married father of two lives in Bucks County and has been involved in three major Senate campaigns, including those of Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) and former U.S. Sens. Tim Wirth (D-Colorado) and the late Paul Simon (D-Illinois). He also worked for the Kerry-Edwards ticket.

Pennacchio plans to launch what he called "an advanced Web site" this week, www.chuckforsenate2006.com, that will detail his plans. He hired Tim Tagaris, who was also recruited for Web design by the Democratic National Committee, to build the site.

Like former presidential candidate Howard Dean's Internet outreach strategy, Pennacchio wants to build coalitions in "meetups" to spread his message.

"I want to make life better. I want to represent the big D and the small D," said the pro-choice Pennacchio. He is not concerned with his unknown status as a candidate or party support. "When they see what I'm doing, they will call me."

Other Democrats are also looking for candidates to beat the conservative pro-lifer and same-sex marriage opponent Santorum in '06. State Treasurer Bob Casey Jr., a Democrat, is said to be mulling a run that would not mean having to resign his state office. However, many liberals are concerned that his Catholic views mirror those of Santorum, particularly on the subject of choice.

Former state Treasurer Barbara Hafer, a Republican turned pro-choice Democrat, was said to be interested but has dropped out of sight lately. Others are pushing state Sen. Connie Williams, who is said to be a viable choice since she is a moderate Democrat.