Kenney calls it quits

By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer

George Kenney was a 27-year-old bachelor back in 1985, when he started his career as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
Kenney married Liz Tomlinson during that first term and began raising a family in Somerton. He’s enjoyed the public service, but wants to do something else. That’s why he is retiring at the end of the year.
"Six children later, now’s the time," he said.
Kenney’s children — one daughter is deceased — range in age from 5 to 20. Two are students at Penn State, one attends Mount St. Joseph Academy and two are at St. Christopher Elementary School.
"I’m going to have five tuitions next year," he said.
While it’s been rumored that Kenney (R-170th dist.), a pharmaceutical salesman before his election and former chairman of the House Health and Human Services Committee, will take a related job in government or the private sector, the retiring lawmaker said he does not know where he’ll work next year.
At the same time, he acknowledged that some organizations have expressed interest in hiring him if he were to leave the legislature.
Kenney, 50, said he was honored to win 12 two-year terms, but he’s looking forward to staying closer to home and traveling less to Harrisburg. He’ll remain Republican leader of the 58th Ward and stay active in the neighborhood.
"It’s been a great experience, but I want to leave here a young man," he said. "Now is the time to pass the torch."
To whom will the torch be passed?
Democrat Brendan Boyle squared off against Kenney in 2004 and ’06 and was planning to challenge him again. He works for a consulting company, with most of the clients being private financial firms. He’s also a hearing master for the city, overseeing appeals of various code violations.
Ken Bode, an aide to state Sen. Mike Stack, had some interest but decided not to run.
Boyle received 46 percent of the vote two years ago and has $80,000 on hand for this race. He claims the backing of party chairman Bob Brady, U.S. Reps. Patrick Murphy and Allyson Schwartz, state Reps. Mike McGeehan, Mark Cohen, Tony Payton, Babette Josephs, Daylin Leach, Rick Taylor and Greg Vitali and most of the district’s ward leaders.
"The guy ran twice when nobody else wanted to run," said supporter Mike McAleer, Democratic leader of Ward 66B.
This time, Boyle expects to raise more money because there will be no incumbent in the race. He’ll continue his door-to-door campaigning.
"It shows people that you really want the job," he said.
Boyle described Kenney as a "family man" and wished him well in the future. He congratulated the legislator on his years in office and for his commitment to public service.
"There was a reason he’s been there for twenty-four years," he said.
The general election contest could be a Boyle vs. Boyle showdown.
That’s because the leading Republican candidate is said to be Bob Boyle, a Somerton resident and owner of World Gym Fitness Center, at 11000 Roosevelt Blvd. Brendan Boyle and Bob Boyle are not related.
Other possible candidates include Kenney aide Matt Taubenberger, son of former Republican mayoral candidate Al Taubenberger, and two local lawyers, Vince Furlong and Marc Collazzo.
Candidates must collect nominating petitions from Jan. 22 to Feb.12. Republicans have controlled the seat since 1973, when Hank Salvatore began the first of six terms. He was succeeded by Kenney when Salvatore became a state senator.
However, the GOP might have a hard time keeping the seat because Democrats hold a voter-registration edge. And, if Brendan Boyle is the nominee, he’ll have a head start in name identification and campaign dollars.
Kenney promised to support the Republican candidate, but to work with whomever wins the election.
His retirement comes two years later than expected. Back in November 2005, he told family, friends and party leaders that he wouldn’t run in 2006. But, then-Speaker John Perzel talked him into running again. Perzel and Rep. John Taylor tried unsuccessfully to convince him to run again this year.
Kenney looks back on his years in office as happy ones and gives credit to his campaign volunteers and office staff in Philadelphia and Harrisburg. He hopes his successor experiences the same satisfaction.
"I hope whoever is elected state rep serves honorably and understands the great privilege they’ve been given," he said.

• • •

Meanwhile, candidates are lining up to run in some other local races.
Tim Kearney is seeking the Democratic nomination to oppose Perzel (R-172nd dist.). He unsuccessfully challenged Perzel in 2004 and ’06.
However, Kearney might not have an easy time winning the nomination. Former Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 president Rich Costello is said to be thinking about seeking the Democratic nod.
Kearney plans to donate 12.5 percent of his campaign contributions to the legal defense fund trying to stop Fox Chase Cancer Center from expanding into Burholme Park. He will also donate the same amount to HealthCare 4ALL PA, a non-profit organization that is lobbying the state legislature to create a universal state-run health care system.
In the 8th Congressional District, former Republican Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick will not seek a rematch with Democratic Rep. Patrick Murphy. The endorsed Republican candidate will likely be Tom Manion, a Marine and pharmaceutical executive whose son was killed in the Iraq war. Other possible candidates are Jeff Madden and Tom Lingenfelter.
In the 13th Congressional District, some anti-war activists are looking for a candidate to challenge Democratic Rep. Allyson Schwartz in the primary.
A possible Republican candidate is Marina Kats, an attorney from Meadowbrook and president of the local Russian-American Chamber of Commerce. ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com