BATTLE FOR THE COURTHOUSE
COUNTY COUNCIL CLASH TOPS DELCO BALLOT
After hearing months of pay-to-play claims hurled against Republicans, and allegations that Democrats are little more than Wall Street titans laying off people to boost profits, Delaware County voters will get the final say Tuesday in the bruising race to fill two seats on Delaware County Council.
On Tuesday, rain or shine, county voters will visit the polls to select their choice for two open seats. The Republicans are represented by incumbent Councilman Dave White and his running mate, John Perfetti. The Democrats have chosen Kevin Madden and Brian Zidek to be their candidates. And, the Libertarians have one person, Ed Clifford, seeking a seat on the county’s ruling body.
White has served on County Council since 2012 and was a former Ridley Township commissioner. He is a Steamfitter Union Local 420 member and has owned DWD Mechanical Contractors Inc. for 17 years. Perfetti retired as Magisterial District Judge for Aldan, Clifton Heights and Lansdowne after serving for 33 years and also worked as the chief deputy director for the county’s Office of Judicial Support for four years.
Kevin Madden is a third-generation county resident who co-founded NightOwl Technologies, a mobile technology for nightlife activities, and was vice president of the investment firm KPS Capital Partners. Zidek is president of Excess Reinsurance, a self-funded medical reinsurance company, and is president of Argo Capital Group Ltd.
Clifford is a Marple resident who works as an accountant for a financial services firm. He ran for U.S. Senate last year.
The Democrats were the first out of the gate in this no-holds-barred race, lobbing a political haymaker when they criticized White’s business ties, saying he obtaining millions of dollars-worth of work with local municipalities and governmental entities while serving on county council. White’s business never did any work for the county during his service as county councilman.
Undeterred, Dems continued to question White’s business activities, labeling them “pay-toplay,” as they scrutinized campaign contributions to White and Republican committees from businesses or individuals who worked with him or his company.
In a mailer ad, the Delco Dems jabbed, “Your tax dollars at work ... Republican County Councilman Dave White is making millions. You’re paying for it.”
Republicans offered their own charges, as well.
Delaware County GOP Chairman Andrew Reilly alleged that KPS, where Madden previously worked, bought companies, laid off workers, cut pension and health care benefits, then resold the firms for millions in profits. There were also claims that one of KPS’ companies was a large toxic air and water polluter. The Madden campaign said KPS was the most pro-union investment firm in the United States, saving thousands of jobs and strengthening pensions.
Other Republicans raised the issue of content on the NightOwl app, such as comments about the women who work at strip clubs appearing on the app.