Crowded Senate

Crowded Senate

by Mary F. Patel

Another interesting twist in the first senatorial district saga occurred this week when one of the candidates opted to run as an independent. Joe Vignola, a Democrat who was planning to run against incumbent Democratic Sen. Vincent Fumo in the April primary, will now run as a third-party candidate in November's general election.

Vignola said that after several months of intensive polling by a New York-based firm, it was determined that in a primary with three or more candidates, Fumo would win. Aside from Vignola, local activist Anne Dicker is running. Local 98 business manager John Dougherty also appears to have entered the fray.

Dougherty supporters were seen aggressively circulating nominating petitions for their man on South Street last week. Dougherty is no stranger to political strategy, having served as the Democratic City Committee's treasurer for several years until his falling-out with party chairman Bob Brady two years ago. He must also know the risk of running in a crowded primary.

Vignola's polling analysis is interesting, particularly since Fumo was indicted early last year on 139 counts of fraud, conspiracy, obstruction of justice and filing false tax returns connected with a South Philadelphia nonprofit he founded, Citizens Alliance.

Vignola said he based his decision on his belief that Fumo's trial, scheduled for September, will be ongoing in the November general election, thus affecting the outcome.

"More people vote in the general election than in the primary," he said. "I do not want a Republican to win the seat so that's why I am running as an independent."

John Morley is the Republican candidate for the senate seat.

Vignola has raised money and likely has votes in the district. He was the 1st District city councilman and city controller; he also ran for U.S. Senate and later became the CEO for the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority. He is currently the senior vice president and manager for the public finance division of city securities firm Janney Montgomery Scott.

He plans to announce his candidacy soon and has retained the Campaign Group's services. Neil Oxman, a partner at Campaign Group, confirmed their involvement and likened the Vignola/Fumo matchup to that between former U.S. Rep. Tom Foglietta and incumbent Democrat Michael "Ozzie" Myers. Myers was a popular Democratic South Philadelphia congressman who was convicted in the FBI's Abscam sting operation in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The FBI was targeting the trafficking of stolen property, but it later became a public corruption investigation that saw FBI agents posing as employees of the fictional Abdul company (Ab, for short) videotaping several congressmen offering political favors to a phantom sheik for various luxuries (the scam).

After Myers and other officials were convicted, Foglietta ran as an independent in the general election and won against Myers; Foglietta later changed back to a Democrat.

This strategy might work, if, in fact, Fumo wins the primary. Dicker may or may not be gaining momentum, depending on whom you ask. While she is supported by district "progressives," some Democratic activists do not think she is strong enough to beat Fumo, who will wield his long arm of bounty to his constituents.

Take, for example, four years ago when Jim Tayoun Jr. ran against Fumo in the primary. Fumo made his presence known at various civic associations and community group meetings and presented the Society Hill Civic Association a check for $150,000 at a neighborhood meeting.

Dicker's ability to sway votes her way is questionable.

A.J. Thomson, a Democratic activist from Fishtown, considered, but then decided against, running against Fumo.

"As much as I would like to see someone else as my senator, Anne's presence in the race and her insistence on running make my or anyone else's candidacy futile," said Thomson, who added that he gave Dicker some advice and wished her luck. "She faces the double-edge problem of running against Fumo and dealing with his minions and what will likely be a tough race, as well as the backlash from those of us who would like to see a change in Fumo's seat and feel that her petulant insistence on running make it impossible for a credible candidate to run. Again, I do want to see a change here and if she wins, good for her and us, but I just don't see it and neither do a lot of people."

(rcpatel@aol.com)