The May 17 primary election is a complex mess of issues and personalities. The field is full of pitfalls and speaks to the future. Endorsements in PGN are based first and foremost on a candidate’s position and/or actions to advance LGBT civil rights. For other issues, feel free to see other publications. While we do not support the Deferred Retirement Option Program for elected officials, that issue can be better-scrutinized by other publications. Our main issue is gay rights. Our first endorsement is a perfect example of the complexity of this year’s primary.
Mayor
We endorse Democrat Michael Nutter in the mayoral primary. Like Liberty City, we do so with reservations due to his stance on the Boy Scouts issue, but we do so with respect to his many years of strong support for this community. With regard to the Scouts, Nutter’s administration is seeking to finally end the dispute over discrimination in a city-owned building, which has gone on for over a decade. But in doing so, it appears the administration values expediency over its commitment to equality.
In the Republican primary, we endorse the colorful and independent John Featherman, who supports gays issues and is, in somewhat of a humorous twist, also supported by the Tea Party.
Council-at-large
A host of at-Large council members have fought the good fight for LGBT rights. Four of the five Democratic incumbents have gone the extra step and introduced legislation to further our rights. For our fifth spot, there are two exceptional candidates: Sherrie Cohen who would be the city’s first out councilmember; and Andy Toy, who would be the first Asian-American councilmember. While Toy is a progressive and great on LGBT issues, Cohen has been an active member of our community for 30 years. PGN endorses the following: Cohen, Bill Green, William K. Greenlee, James F. Kenney and Blondell Reynolds Brown. (You can vote for five.)
On the Republican side, it’s a little more difficult. And in all honesty, the bar is a little lower. Our endorsements go to those who oppose the discrimination by the Boy Scouts and support the LGBT-friendly senior housing project. (We cannot endorse Malcolm Lazin due to numerous questions regarding Equality Forum’s finances, which have resulted in previous board resignations, and the FBI investigation into his loan for the Millennium March on Washington, D.C., in 2000 and the subsequent settlement with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court to repay $207,000 of that loan.) We strongly endorse the following: Joseph H. McColgan, David H. Oh, Dennis H. O’Brien, Frank Rizzo and Al Taubenberger. (You can vote for five.)
Council districts
The 1st District race is the most watched race in the city. This district covers the William Way LGBT Community Center, including the proposed LGBT-friendly affordable senior living facility. Because of publisher Mark Segal’s ties to the project, we will not endorse in this race. The facility would be the largest LGBT brick-and-mortar project in the history of the city, and whoever wins will be a pivotal partner in its success. To their credit, all four candidates — Vern Anastasio, Jeff Hornstein, Joe Grace and Mark Squilla — have voiced support for the project and each has similar views on other issues of importance to our community, including the SEPTA transpass and Boy Scouts.
We endorse the following in the remaining districts: 2nd, Kenyatta Johnson; 5th, Darrell L. Clarke; 6th, Bob Henon; 7th, Maria Quiñones Sánchez; 8th, Cindy M. Bass; 9th, Marian Tasco; and 10th, Bill Rubin.
City Commissioner
This office will play a key role in the 2012 election, an election that will include Bob Casey, Patrick Murphy and Barack Obama. PGN endorses Democrats Anthony Clark and Margaret Tartaglione. (You can vote for two.)
Sheriff
While there has been much discussion about dismantling the Sheriff’s Office and giving these powers to the mayor, Philadelphia has one of the strongest and most powerful mayoral offices in the nation. We believe that making the Sheriff’s Office more professional is a better way to go. Jewel Williams will bring that to this office and has been a strong ally in the state House.
Judges
In this election, there are several out judicial candidates, and voters have their first opportunity to elect an out LGBT judge for Traffic Court.
Commonwealth Court: Kathryn Boockvar Court of Common Pleas (vote for 10): Giovanni Campbell, Angelo J. Foglietta, Sean Kennedy, Leon A. King II, Christopher Mallios Jr., Barbara A. McDermott, Maria McLaughlin, J. Scott O’Keefe, Joseph J. O’Neill, Kenneth J. Powell Jr. Traffic Court: Robert Tuerk