170th district hears
from candidates
Campaign Bits
By Tom Waring
Matt Taubenberger has knocked on about 10,000 doors as he campaigns for the 170th Legislative District seat.
The Republican candidate explains that he believes that sort of retail politics is necessary in a relatively small Pennsylvania House of Representatives District. He also needs to meet the voters because his Democratic opponent, Brendan Boyle, has been a frequent visitor to doorsteps in his races in 2004, 2006 and this year.
At the same time, Taubenberger understands that he must raise money to reinforce his message with mailings to homes.
Last week, the candidate was the guest of honor at a $250 per person cocktail reception at Glen Foerd on the Delaware hosted by state Reps. John Perzel, George Kenney and John Taylor.
Taubenberger also held a joint fund-raiser on Friday night with Wally Zimolong, the Republican challenger to state Rep. Babette Josephs, at the new Paddy Whacks at Second and South streets.
"It’s not cheap," he said of mounting a serious campaign, "but it’s the system we have."
Others who attended the Glen Foerd event included City Councilman Jack Kelly; Republican City Committee general counsel Mike Meehan; Al Taubenberger, the candidate’s father and the GOP mayoral candidate last year; and John Farley, the Republican candidate in the 5th Senatorial District.
Taubenberger and Boyle are seeking the seat of Kenney, who is retiring. Kenney, who has served for 24 years, beat challenges by Boyle in 2004 and ’06. Taubenberger serves as an aide to Kenney.
Boyle has an advantage in fund-raising and enjoys a Democratic voter-registration edge.
He’s also better known than Taubenberger because of his past runs for the seat.
Still, Meehan is cautioning Democrats not to underestimate Taubenberger.
"Matt’s doing all the right things," he said. "Matt’s a worker."
Kelly, like Meehan, is a Somerton resident and a constituent in the 170th district. He believes Taubenberger will win, in part, because of the popularity of Kenney, the goodwill his father generated during his mayoral campaign and an expected strong showing in the district by Republican John McCain against Democrat Barack Obama in the presidential race.
The councilman added that Taubenberger is a strong candidate for the seat.
"He’s well qualified to be a good state legislator," he said. "He’s got a good head on his shoulders. He listens well and speaks well."
Farley, a Somerton resident who lives in state Rep. Tom Murt’s 152nd Legislative District, mentions Taubenberger’s name when he campaigns door-to-door for the Senate seat. He hears positive comments about Taubenberger, based on his handling of constituent service issues for Kenney.
"There’s been tremendous support from Democrats and Republicans," he said.
Meanwhile, Boyle continues to pick up endorsements.
The Democrat received the backing of the Pennsylvania State Education Association.
Boyle, whose wife Jenny is a teacher, promised to make investing in education a top priority.
In his two previous bids for the seat, he promoted a statewide, merit-based scholarship program that would allow students to attend state colleges and universities tuition-free, if they earn a 3.0 grade point average and have a 90 percent attendance rate in high school.
Rep. Tony Payton (D-179th dist.), with Boyle’s assistance, wrote and sponsored the legislation that would create the program in Pennsylvania.
Earlier, Boyle picked up nods from Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 and the building trades unions. Those unions, along with PSEA, had previously supported Kenney.
Republican Mike Livingston is challenging U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-2nd dist.) to a series of debates.
Livingston wants to discuss education, crime, taxes, the energy and housing crises and national security issues.
"In talking to people throughout the district, I have found that the same items — personal safety, school quality, worries about high taxes and declining home ownership — come up time and again," he said. "My approach to these issues differs from that of Rep. Fattah, but I hope that we can have a frank and constructive debate about them."
Livingston, of Cheltenham, is a professor at the Rutgers-Camden School of Law.
According to a recent filing with the Federal Election Commission, Livingston raised $15,150. ••
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com