Farnese Makes Four

by Joe Shaheeli

Whether it is Obama or Hillary isn’t the paramount question in the minds of Democratic voters in the 1st Senatorial Dist. They will be sought after by four, that's right, four candidates, all seeking to capture the seat.

First, there is incumbent Sen. Vincent Fumo. He wouldn’t have competition if it weren't for the fact he is facing a Federal trial in September, which may generate adverse publicity and could weaken his candidacy in the November election, making him vulnerable to a challenge from Republican candidate Jack Morley.

Second, we find one of the leaders of the reform movement group, which got notice in recent local elections, Anne Dicker, who made her entry into the race with full-page print ads in the local media.

Third came IBEW Local 98 Business Mgr. John Dougherty, whose union, under his leadership, has helped propel least a score of candidates into office over the past five years, and has shared an off-again, on-again political relationship with Fumo. He is the most formidable among those in this race.

Fourth, definitely the last and latest entry is attorney Larry Farnese, who narrowly lost a challenge to State Rep. Babette Josephs for the 182nd Dist. seat. He had given every indication this was his time to beat the incumbent. He began circulating petitions for that House race. But he has also filed nominating petitions for the First senatorial district on Monday.

Making this race all the more fascinating to politicos and voters is the fact Farnese's venue addition could be laid at the feet of both Fumo and Dougherty.

Those who credit Fumo believe the Senator's friends may have encouraged Farnese to adding the Senatorial race to his campaign, suggesting he could probably pick up much of the Italian vote that still exists in the district. After all, one of his mentors was Councilman Frank DiCicco, who had squired him around at several political events, and is believed to be helping him in the campaign against the resilient Babette Josephs.

Farnese’s inner circle credits John Dougherty for the change. They claim the union leader with being behind the entry of Grays Ferry leader Robert Gormley into the 182nd Dist. contest. He is a member of Local 98. To his credit are years of leadership in that community serving as president of its leading community organization, and setting up programs that create work for minority youngsters. Gormley would be taking away votes that would prove critical to Farnese, greatly reducing his chances to win that legislative seat.

Farnese’s withdrawal from the senate race could rest on whether or not Gormley remains in the legislative race.

Both Fumo and Dougherty see the entry of Farnese as a plus for them. It is believed whatever votes he gets will primarily come from the gay community in the 5th, 8th and 15th Wards, for which he will be vying with Dicker. Though he has a renowned Italian family name with a strong South Philadelphia history, little is known of him and what should be his base in that neighborhood.

In the meantime, all but Farnese have demonstrated their vote-getting abilities, as they filed nominating petitions with signatures in the thousands. Dougherty had over 6300, Fumo 5600, and Dicker over 3000. Farnese filed three times what was needed in signatures, indicating his decision to switch was a hasty one. No doubt a petition challenge will be launched against him by one or all three of the other candidates.