Philadelphia Daily News (PA)
 
February 18, 2004
Section: LOCAL
Edition: 4STAR
Page: 12

 
Bochetto opts out of plan to run against Fumo
DAVE DAVIES daviesd
@phillynews.com

 

Republican attorney George Bochetto has decided not to take a run at Democratic state Sen. Vince Fumo.

 

"I look at these races and see whether the political landscape offers a winning formula," Bochetto said yesterday as the filing deadline for candidates closed. "I don't run to fall on swords."
Bochetto acknowledged that the recent peace between Fumo and electricians union leader John Dougherty made the race less attractive.

 

"That had a lot to do with the landscape," he said. John Morley will be the GOP candidate in the fall.

 

Fumo still faces a Democratic primary challenge from Dr. James Tayoun Jr. unless Tayoun decides to withdraw. He has until March 3 to decide.

 

Fumo is one of 11 members of the city's Harrisburg delegation facing challenges in the April 27 primary. All are Democrats:

 

* North Philadelphia Sen. Shirley Kitchen is opposed by Jesse Brown.

 

* Center City Rep. Babette Josephs is being challenged by Terry Ann Gillen and Andrew Hohns.

 

* Rep. Marie Lederer, from the lower Northeast, faces a test from Sheila Ballen.

 

* Veteran Kensington Rep. Bill Rieger is opposed by Rafael Collazo, Virgil Addison and Emilio Augustin Vazquez.

 

* Rep. Angel Cruz is challenged by Ivette Garcia in North Philadelphia.

 

* Rep. Curtis Thomas will face Lawrence Clark, also in North Philadelphia.

 

* South Philadelphia Rep. Bill Keller is being challenged by Mark Squilla.

 

* In West Philadelphia, Rep. Michael Horsey is opposed by Tommy Blackwell, son of the late U.S. Rep. Lucien Blackwell.

 

* Rep. Louise Bishop will face Deborah Toney-Moore in West Philadelphia.

 

* Rep. Jewell Williams is challenged by Leodus Jones in North Philadelphia.

 

* Germantown Rep. Rosita Youngblood has five opponents - Curtis McAllister, Lamont Thomas, Latrice Bryant, Marc Stier, and Supreme Dow.

 

In addition, both parties will have primaries for nomination to the Northeast Philadelphia-Montgomery County congressional seat being vacated by U.S Rep. Joe Hoeffel.

 

State Sen. Allyson Schwartz and Joe Torsella will square off in the Democratic primary, while Melissa Brown, state Rep. Ellen Bard and Al Taubenberger are in the GOP field.

 

The opening for state attorney general has drawn a Democratic field of Jim Eisenhower, John Morganelli, Matthew Mangino and David Barrasch, and Tom Corbett and Bruce Castor are set for what looks to be a bruising Republican primary.

 

Eisenhower was the nominee in 2000, after defeating Morganelli in the primary. Corbett served as attorney general in 1996, finishing the remainder of Ernie Preate's term.

 

Republicans Joe Peters and John Maher will compete to face state Sen. Jack Wagner for state auditor general.

 

Neither party will have a primary battle for state treasurer. Democrat Bob Casey Jr. will face Republican Jean Craige Pepper in November.

 

And as expected, U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter has a primary challenge from Allentown Congressman Pat Toomey. *