A Philadelphia Primary is Set in PA-2

Someone is hiring staff for a race against Congressman Chaka Fattah. They want a finance director:

Pennsylvania’s 2nd Congressional District is a solidly Democratic seat situated nearly entirely within the City Philadelphia. The district also includes Lower Merion Township (Montgomery County, Pennsylvania). Congressman Chaka Fattah currently represents this district and it is expected that he will run for reelection in 2016, though the circumstances surrounding his indictment may affect that decision.

This opportunity is for an experienced finance director willing to start (relocate) some time this month (August) to establish and lead fundraising efforts for a new candidate to challenge the incumbent. The immediate and pressing goal is to meet 3rd quarter filing targets and to lead fundraising efforts through the spring primary (April 26, 2016).

If Rep. Fattah thought he’d get a pass to re-election while under indictment, you can rule that out now. Unless you were really stupid, or really arrogant, you already should have ruled that out. Mayor Michael Nutter, State Senator Vince Hughes, State Rep. Dwight Evans, and former Mayoral candidate Doug Oliver are all candidates that could run, and possibly could knock out the incumbent, just off the top of my head. There could be others too.

It’s important to not assume though that Fattah will lose. Candidates have won under indictment before, as ridiculous and crazy as that sounds. Fattah at one time had one of the best political machines in the country, so counting him out, at this point, is not smart.

Fattah Indicted

Philadelphia Congressman Chaka Fattah was indicted today on 29 counts, including racketeering. He has been a fixture in Philadelphia politics for a long time, and once had a feared political machine that major politicians sought support from. That’s pretty much over now though, as Fattah faces serious prison time if convicted in this case.

I would say the favorites to replace him are State Senator Vince Hughes and State Representative Dwight Evans, for right now. Former Mayoral candidate Doug Oliver and Mayor Michael Nutter’s names will come up as well. City Council President Darrell Clarke is unlikely to want the seat.