Activist defeats Council
rookie in the 7th district . . .

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

Maria Quinones-Sanchez tried to win the 7th Councilmanic District seat in 1999 but couldn’t overcome incumbent Rick Mariano in the Democratic primary.
Mariano would go on to win the general election and another term in 2003, but was sent to federal prison last year after being convicted of corruption.
When a special election was called for last November, Quinones-Sanchez knew she had little backing among ward leaders who would choose the nominee.
So, she watched Dan Savage, Marnie Aument-Loughrey and John Sabatina (who also ran in 1999) seek the party nod. Savage ultimately captured the endorsement and easily won the special election.
All the while, Quinones-Sanchez eyed the May 15 primary. She was joined by Savage and Aument-Loughrey in a three-way race.
"This was the election where the machine needed to lose and citizens’ voices heard," she said.
Quinones-Sanchez used a dominating performance in the southern end of the district to offset Savage’s strength in the Northeast portion to oust the incumbent with 52 percent of the vote. Savage finished with 41 percent. Aument-Loughrey totaled 7 percent.
"We worked really hard. I’m really proud of our team. The people sent a very strong message," the victor said.
In November, Quinones-Sanchez will face Republican Gary Grisafi.
"We’re going to work hard and reach out to the people," she said.
While Quinones-Sanchez celebrated and the Spanish music blared at Pasion Tropical, a restaurant in a shopping center near H and Tioga streets, Aument-Loughrey was trying to cheer up her supporters at Amvets Post 100 on O Street near Luzerne Street. She blamed her loss on a failure to raise enough money and a high turnout of Hispanic voters for the winner.
"I’ve still got a neighborhood I’ve got to fight for," said the activist from Kensington.
Aument-Loughrey wasn’t happy with the process that led to Savage’s endorsement, contending that party boss and mayoral candidate Bob Brady selected him because Savage’s dad Tim is a federal judge and former ward leader.
"Danny deserves to lose and Bob Brady deserves to lose," she said.
While the two female candidates had a good relationship during the race, some Aument-Loughrey supporters said the Quinones-Sanchez campaign used intimidation tactics at the polls.
"Maria flooded every polling place," Aument-Loughrey said.
Savage, a Northwood resident who is Democratic leader of the 23rd Ward, won his home ward by almost 800 votes over Quinones-Sanchez. He outpolled her by 140 votes in the 53rd Ward in Oxford Circle and Castor Gardens. He also won the Rhawnhurst-based 56th Ward by more than 400 votes, but needed a bigger margin.
"We did very, very well in the 56th," Quinones-Sanchez said.
Quinones-Sanchez, regional director of the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration, won a division in the 63rd Ward in Bustleton by nine votes and pulled away with big margins in the minority areas of the district. She easily won the 33rd Ward, where Donna Aument — Aument-Loughrey’s mom — is the Democratic leader.
Quinones-Sanchez hugged supporters, who included ward leader and state Rep. Angel Cruz and Joe Zaleski, a former aide to Mariano. Cruz ignored the party endorsement and delivered the 7th Ward to Quinones-Sanchez by more than 800 votes.
In the general election, Quinones-Sanchez will be heavily favored over Grisafi. She hopes to be part of an active City Council.
While she declined to say for whom she voted for mayor, she did indicate that she’s looking forward to working with Michael Nutter, the Democrat favored to become the next mayor.
"Nutter and I were Council aides together. He’s a hard-working guy," she said. ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com