3 minute read
WINNERS & LOSERS
Who was up and who was down last month
With each new year comes an opportunity to reflect and renew – you know, the whole “New Year, New Me” thing. And that certainly holds true in the political world, too. Politicians are hoping that the new year will bring new beginnings – from a state rep. eyeing his first statewide race to a former city official looking for a new gig after allegedly making anti-Semitic remarks. Here are some people poised for a strong 2022 and others hoping the new year will bring a much-needed change.
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AUSTIN DAVIS
Attorney General Josh Shapiro tapped state Rep. Austin Davis as his running mate, despite the fact that Pennsylvania voters must elect lieutenant governor candidates in separate elections. The planned endorsement is a big boost to Davis, given that Shapiro is widely expected to be the Democratic nominee for governor come November.
WINNERS
OUR PICK
LOSERS
OUR PICK
MICHAEL RASHID
Now the former Philadelphia Commerce Director, Michael Rashid resigned from his role last month after reports surfaced he made anti-Semitic remarks and verbally abused his staffers. Rashid’s resignation also comes following the departures of several senior department leaders and staffers, some of whom blame Rashid’s behavior as the reason they left.
THE BEST OF THE REST
EUGENE DEPASQUALE
Former Auditor General Eugene DePasquale may not be in public office anymore, but he found himself back in the headlines after he intervened in a viral fight at the Peach Bowl and shielded a woman who got caught in the scuffle and fell to the ground. It was a laudable move from DePasquale, who said that besides the fight, he enjoyed his time at the Peach Bowl.
SETH BLUESTEIN
Seth Bluestein ended 2021 on a high note after Mayor Jim Kenney appointed him to the board of the Philadelphia City Commissioners. Bluestein will replace his boss and outgoing Commissioner Al Schmidt, who is leaving to lead the good government group Committee of Seventy. Bluestein, along with the city’s two other commissioners, will be charged with overseeing the city’s elections during a very tumultuous time.
THE REST OF THE WORST
ANTHONY NERO
Eagleville’s Anthony Nero could face up to 15 years in prison after he fired three shots at a Montgomery County Democratic Party office last year. Nero pleaded guilty to the charges in early January and blamed his actions on heightened political tensions resulting from COVID-19 and his beliefs that the 2020 general election was stolen. Sentencing is scheduled for April.
JENNIFER RILEY
A major blow was dealt to Jennifer Riley, executive director from Marsy’s Law for PA – and advocates for victims’ rights last month – after the state Supreme Court ruled that Marsy’s Law can’t be approved into law under a single measure. The justices determined that the 15 provisions in the constitutional amendment attempted to make too many changes at once. Riley said she was “disappointed,” but will keep fighting.
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Vol. 2 Issue 1 January 2022
Town halls? Distanced. Fundraisers? Curbed. Debates? Zoomed. Covidʼs Conundrums Campaign
How pols are adapting to this year’s lackluster landscape.
The state's top 50
political consultants
CITYANDSTATEPA.COM @CITYANDSTATEPA @CITYANDSTATEPA JANUARY 2022
Cover illustration: Victor Juhasz
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