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Saidel’s head start in Lt. Gov. race growing formidable

As the first candidate by far to make moves for Lieutenant Governor, Democrat Jonathan Saidel was always going benefit from some early momentum. Now, that momentum could be breaking into a sprint, one fast enough to scare off some other potential candidates.

Saidel, a former Philadelphia City Controller, already has a campaign war-chest of more than half-a-million dollars, political consultants working on his behalf and he recently netted the endorsement of a major teacher’s union. A little less than a year before next year’s primary, it all means that other Democrats could end up hesitant to challenge him. Saidel is the only Democrat so far to signal his intention to run. Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty is considering a run, but may be leaning toward a Congressional bid instead.

“We have a great statewide base already in place,” said Don Jones, Saidel’s longtime political adviser who is managing his campaign. “We just feel real good about where we are.”

Saidel’s early fundraising strength could prove his most important political weapon going forward. He had more than $660,000 on hand last month, according to campaign finance data, a large sum for a race that often costs less than half-a-million dollars to run. The sum is far more than other candidates for the office. Dauphin County Commissioner Nick DiFrancesco had about $65,000 on hand and Chester County Commissioner Carol Aichele had about $1,500 on hand. Both are Republicans.

“I think we have a very good advantage,” Jones said. “The last Lt. Gov. race cost about 400-grand; we should be close to, if not over, a million [dollars] soon.”

Added Saidel: “I think we’ll be able to get a message across as to what I think is important for the future of Pennsylvania. It’s a reflection of who we are and what we care about.”

His recent endorsement from the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Federation of Teachers reflected his long-standing relationships with organized labor.

“We have a history with Jon,” AFT state president Ted Kirsch told The Inquirer, alluding to negotiations with the city in 2000. “He’s a public school graduate who was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He is one of us.”

Saidel also got a recent, indirect boost when Lehigh County Executive Don Cunningham dropped out of the race for governor. Party leaders look for geographic balance in gubernatorial tickets, and with Cunningham out, it’s increasingly likely that the party’s top-ticket nominee will come from western Pennsylvania.

•Also on pa2010.com: Wanted: Democrats for Lt. Gov.

Philly’s best-known fiscal watchdog eyes a spot in Harrisburg

July 7, 2009 at 11:03 am

--Dan Hirschhorn

Tags: Carol Aichele, Chris Doherty, Jonathan Saidel, Lt. Gov., Nick DiFrancesco

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