Four Pennsylvania state races that political junkies will be watching
Please note: This article is published as an archive copy from Philadelphia City Paper. My City Paper is not affiliated with Philadelphia City Paper. Philadelphia City Paper was an alternative weekly newspaper in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The last edition was published on October 8, 2015.
Mark Cohen's sometimes-kooky behavior (taking phone calls on stage, calling a Jewish radio host a Nazi for questioning him) has led some to question his effectiveness.
Erin Molchany and Harry Readshaw
Most of the political intrigue this spring has focused on the Democratic contest for governor, but further down the ballot are four state primary races deserving of Philly-area political junkies’ attention. These are races that will test the power of Rep. Brian Sims and groups allied with the progressive faction of the state Democratic Party.
1. Erin Molchany vs. Harry Readshaw
Philadelphia is the boogeyman in the 36th House District primary, where 71-year-old Rep. Harry Readshaw’s campaign commercials slam 36-year-old progressive Rep. Erin Molchany’s vote for transportation funding — a vote he characterizes as a handout for Philly mass-transit riders.
Both incumbents were redrawn into the same district in 2010, and now must fight it out. The difference could hardly be starker. Molchany is a frequent ally of Philly Rep. Brian Sims, and is backed by reformist Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto, Equality PA, and Planned Parenthood. Readshaw has one of the most conservative records in the House Democratic caucus, taking a hard line against gun control, immigration and abortion rights. For Pennsylvania progressives, this is easily the most important race to watch.
2. Jared Solomon vs. Mark Cohen
The race for the 202nd House District in northeast Philly — between 64-year-old Rep. Mark Cohen, who has been in office since 1974, and 35-year old Castor Gardens neighborhood activist Jared Solomon — makes for interesting generational politics. By all accounts, Cohen has been a reliable liberal on paper, but his sometimes kooky behavior (taking phone calls on stage, calling a Jewish radio host a Nazi for questioning the unusually high number of per-diems he’s collected) has led some, notably Rep. Brian Sims, to call his effectiveness into question. Sims made waves in the Democratic Party with his early endorsement of Solomon. Some established groups, including the Philadelphia chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW), have followed suit.
3. Billy Smith vs. Margo Davidson
Sims also endorsed Billy Smith, a 38-year-old former Landsdowne Councilman and Philly Assistant DA, in his primary challenge to incumbent Rep. Margo Davidson in the 164th House seat in Delaware County. As with the Solomon challenge, political observers will be watching this race to measure Sims’ political influence.
Unlike the Solomon challenge, there are policy issues in play in this race. Davidson ran last cycle as a pro-choice, pro-public-education candidate, racking up endorsements from Planned Parenthood, NOW, and PSEA. But once in office, Davidson cast votes those groups didn’t like on key bills that expanded charter schools and, opponents say, shuttered six legitimate abortion clinics. Planned Parenthood, NOW, and PSEA are backing Smith this election cycle.
4. LeAnna Washington vs. herself
The race for the 4th Senatorial District will be a test of how much political mischief Philadelphians are willing to stomach. State Sen. LeAnna Washington is accused of spending taxpayer money on a campaign/birthday event, but she’s still on the ballot. Her challengers are Brian Gralnick, the 34-year-old director of the Center for Social Responsibility at the Jewish Federation of Philadelphia, and 57-year-old Cheltenham Township Commissioner Art Haywood.
The city Democratic Party is backing Washington, naturally, while powerful state Rep. Dwight Evans is backing Haywood. NOW supports Gralnik, whose campaign consultant is Dan Siegel, who worked for President Obama’s re-election campaign in 2012. Gralnik has pinned his hopes on reform-minded liberals in wealthy, well-informed Northwest Philly.
