You can’t tell the Dems without a scorecard
One week from tomorrow, we go to the polls in what is routinely described as the primary election.
This is where we nominate our party’s candidates for offices such as state rep and Congress.
I know, your eyes are already starting to roll back in your head. You are stifling a yawn.
For years we have lamented the fact that voters would avoid these midterm elections – in particular the spring primary – like the plague. After all, we’re not actually electing anyone, we’re only nominating candidates.
Turnout routinely would be dismal. Maybe one in five eligible voters would take part.
Don’t look for that to be the case next week. Even if only the Democrats running for the newly constructed 5th Congressional seat show up, that should provide a huge boost in turnout.
Why? Because no less than 10 candidates are still seeking the nomination to become Delaware County’s next representative in Congress. And that’s down from 14. Take a page from baseball. “You can’t tell the players without a scorecard.” That certainly will be true for the cavalcade of Democrats seeking to be our guy or gal in Washington.
First, a few ground rules. There are several reasons for this unprecedented uptick in interest.
For one thing, the two parties will be battling for an open seat. Incumbent Republican Rep. Pat Meehan, who breezed to three successive re-election runs in the 7th District, is not running. He fell on his sword after getting caught using taxpayer funds to settle a sex harassment complaint filed by a former staffer.
First he announced he would not seek re-election, while still serving out his term. Then he changed his mind, announcing he would resign. That forced a special election, which will be held at the same time as the general election. Confused yet? You’re not the only one.
Let’s take for granted that it’s likely that the winners of the May 15 primary also will run in the special election. But there are some glitches. The boundaries of the districts are different. The 7th, which is holding the special election, does not match the 5th, which is the new district drawn up by the high court as a result of finding the old maps a blatant gerrymander. Not everyone will be able to vote in both elections.
The winner of the special election in the 7th will only serve for two months, unless of course he or she also wins the 5th election.
I know, your eyes are rolling back in your head again.
Stay with me. This is Pennsylvania after all. Land of Giants. For the next seven months we won’t have a representative in Congress. Then for two months we could have two, one sitting and one about to take office, unless of course the same person wins both.
But the real treasure here is the vacant 5th District seat. That’s why so many people tossed their hat in the ring.
At least county Republicans had the good sense to get their people in a room and unite behind a single candidate. Despite several solid contenders, all of them stepped aside to make way for the party’s pick, former county assistant district attorney and deputy state attorney general Pearl Kim.
The Democrats? Well, that’s a bit more messy.
Remember, Delco Democrats are feeling their oats these days. They are coming off an impressive showing last November in which they did something they have been talking about – but failing to do – for years. They won not one but two seats on Delaware County Council. Not satisfied with that, they also swept all three county row offices up for grabs.
Meehan was expected to face a sterner test this year, if for no other reason than the anti-Trump backlash that showed up at the polls in November.
Plus this 5th District is much more level playing field, as opposed to the gerrymandered 7th, which zigged and zagged in an effort to add Republican votes and cut out Democrats in an effort to aid the GOP incumbent.
Add into that cauldron the #Metoo movement, mix it with the leftover tatters of Meehan’s swansong, and then – Voila! – announce that the seat will be vacant, literally up for grabs, and you set off a stampede of Democrats running for Congress.
This is not necessarily a good thing for the Delco Dems. There is an inherent danger in this crowd running for a district that now covers the entire county, along with a sliver of the Main Line in Montgomery County, as well as small portions of South and Southwest Philly.
For years Democrats whined about the fact that lots of Democratic votes in the city of Chester and along the riverfront were cut out and handed off to Philly Dem powerbroker and U.S. Rep. Bob Brady in the 1st District. He’s not running this time either.
Now the table has been flipped, with all of Delco now under one congressional roof. But it’s that slice of Philly that is causing angst among some Dems, especially after they failed to unite behind a single candidate at the nominating meeting.
The fear is that after waiting for nearly a decade for a decent shot at recapturing this seat in Congress, they could see it won by a Philly Democrat.
That’s right. Rich Lazer is a former aide to Mayor Jim Kenney. And he has the money of John Dougherty’s powerful electrical workers union behind him.
The thought is that all these Delco Democrats could split the vote, opening the door for Lazer to win the nomination.
For now, the Dem frontrunners remain former Wallingford Swarthmore School Board President Mary Joe Scanlon, and former assistant U.S. attorney Ashley Lunkenheimer.
The seven others running are state Reps. Greg Vitali, D-166 of Haverford, and Margo Davidson, D-164 of Upper Darby; Chester Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland; scientist Molly Sheehan; Havertown teacher and addiction advocate Larry Arata; financial adviser Lindy Li; and newcomer Theresa Wright.
Wright, perhaps the least known, has drawn the top ballot position.
Many people are referring to this as the Year of the Woman. It’s very likely that two women will emerge and face off in the battle for the 5th District seat.
But don’t count out Rich Lazer, possibly raining on the Delco Dems’ parade.
We joked when the high court drew up the new map that Delco would “take the 5th.”
On Primary Election Day, Delco Democats will take the 10th.
Don’t forget your scorecard.