Dee Adcock, the Republican candidate in the 13th Congressional District, has promised to donate his salary to charity, if elected.
Adcock, who faces Democrat Brendan Boyle, made the announcement last week during a news conference outside the Bustleton Bengals youth sports organization.
“If you send me to Washington, while I’m working to fix the system to restore the American Dream for the forgotten worker, I will donate my entire after-tax paycheck to local charitable organizations here in Northeast Philly and Montgomery County,” he said. “My hope is that this example of personal action will let people know I’m one of them and that I’m running for office for the right reasons, to serve others rather than to serve myself. I’m confident this policy will set the right tone for me and my staff, both now and in the years ahead.
“More than that, this idea really energizes and excites me… the fun of working with the community to invest real money into local schools, youth organizations, civic groups, green space and trail projects, soup kitchens, adoption agencies, women’s shelters and more. It’s better to give than to receive, and I invite you, my friends and neighbors here in Northeast Philly and Montgomery County, to join me in a new attitude toward holding office, an attitude of serving others rather than serving yourself, an attitude of charity, an attitude of action.”
Adcock’s decision could blunt a possible line of attack from Boyle, who criticized his three primary opponents as “Montgomery County millionaires.”
Adcock, who owns a swimming pool company that employs 120 people, believes he might still be attacked as a millionaire.
“It worked the first time around,” he said of the Democratic primary.
While at the news conference, Adcock donated $500 to the Bustleton Bengals, who hope to build a gym. He previously has donated to the Holmesburg and Mayfair civic associations, which are fighting the opening of a methadone clinic.
••
State Sen. Mike Stack, the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, is eager to hit the campaign trail on behalf of Tom Wolf, his party’s nominee for governor.
Stack got to know Wolf, a wealthy York County businessman, when he served as secretary of the state Department of Revenue. Wolf appeared in front of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and Stack describes him as smart and down to earth.
“He’s got a very positive, fresh message,” he said. “We think Republicans will vote for Wolf-Stack as well.”
In the Democratic primary, Stack easily topped a field of five, finishing either first or second in 50 of the state’s 67 counties. He believes he’ll be an asset to Wolf in pulling votes from southeastern Pennsylvania.
Stack’s top issues include increases in the minimum wage and public education funding.
The natural gas industry is thriving in Pennsylvania, he said, and money from a tax on drilling can be earmarked for public education.
“Every other state in America has an extraction tax,” he said. “That issue is resonating with folks.”
The Wolf-Stack team will face Republican Gov. Tom Corbett and Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley. Stack believes the election will come down to a battle of ideas.
“I think we have the better ideas,” he said.
••
State Sen. Anthony Williams last Friday took another step toward his all-but-certain mayoral campaign.
Williams met with potential supporters over lunch at the Hilton hotel on City Line Avenue. The group included District Attorney Seth Williams, City Council members Jannie Blackwell, Curtis Jones and Kenyatta Johnson, state Sen. Shirley Kitchen, former Councilman George Burrell, former mayoral candidate Tom Knox, attorney George Bochetto and music mogul Kenny Gamble.
“We talked about a pathway to winning,” Sen. Williams said.
Former mayoral candidate Marty Weinberg has been by Williams’ side as he’s traveled the city gauging support for a run. Williams has also hired Jeremy Bird, a partner in the 270 Strategies consulting firm.
Williams liked the diversity of the people with whom he met, saying it would help him in a campaign and in City Hall.
“I think you need someone who can build coalitions,” he said.
Williams said his top issues include increasing public education funding and addressing the city’s 30-percent poverty rate. Williams made a recent stop at Bensalem High School for an Indian-American festival that attracted a lot of Northeast residents. He said he embraced the family, education and economic values of the Indian community. He was introduced on stage as the “future mayor of the city of Brotherly Love.” ••
