Philadelphia Inquirer
November 3, 2004
Montco Democrats capture 2 House seats; But after successes elsewhere in state, the GOP gained a seat both in the House and Senate.
BYLINE: By Mario F. Cattabiani and Marc Schogol; Inquirer Staff Writers
Catching a ride on John Kerry's Pennsylvania wave, Montgomery County Democrats captured two State House seats held by Republicans.
But because of successes elsewhere in the state, Republicans wound up with a net one-seat gain, extending their majority in the House to 110-93.
Democrat Mike Gerber, a Whitpain Township lawyer, knocked off freshman Republican Rep. Melissa Murphy Weber to capture the 148th District seat.
"We worked tirelessly," Gerber said. "We stuck to the issues, pounded on doors, and did our best to communicate a positive message."
Al Bowman, Weber's spokesman, said Kerry's strong showing particularly in southeastern Pennsylvania hurt the campaign. But Weber expressed pride in her campaign.
"I guess what I'm feeling more than anything is disappointment knowing how hard I served the last two years, how hard the campaign worked," said Weber, whose father, William J. Murphy, died Oct. 23. "We focused on my record and the issues and I'm proud we were able to do that."
In the Abington area's 153d House District, being vacated by Republican Rep.Ellen Bard, Democrat Joshua Shapiro dashed the political-comeback hopes of former GOP U.S. Rep. Jon D. Fox.
"I felt the whole time that Kerry's presence on the ballot was drawing voters out, which really helped me, but I still had to make my case," said Shapiro, a former chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Joseph Hoeffel.
Shortly after 10 last night, Fox said he was conceding.
"I wish the best of luck to Josh Shapiro," said Fox, who said he was looking forward to spending more time with his family.
In another closely watched Montgomery County seat, the open 146th District being vacated by GOP Rep. Mary Ann Dailey, Republican Thomas Quigley, the mayor of Royersford, defeated Democrat Dan Weand.
In Erie, Republican Curt Sonney, a union factory worker, upset 16-year incumbent Democrat Rep. Tom Scrimenti.
Republican candidates also won two open seats that were previously held by Democrats, one in Franklin County, the other in Butler County.
Sen. Vincent J. Fumo (D., Phila.) one of Pennsylvania's most powerful politicians, cruised to a seventh term, defeating his GOP opponent, John H. Morley Jr., by a nearly 4-1 margin.
Democrats had hoped that a strong Kerry showing would help them pick off some the city's few remaining Republican state legislators.
They considered Republican Rep. George T. Kenney, who has represented the 170th District in the city's Far Northeast for 10 terms, vulnerable. But Kenney fought off a challenge by 27-year-old Brendan Boyle by a 3-2 margin.
All 203 House seats and half of those in the 50-seat Senate were on the ballot yesterday. But in 93 of those races, incumbents faced no opposition at all.
In Pennsylvania's most closely watched Senate race, incumbent Democratic Sen. Allen Kukovich of Westmoreland County was defeated by Republican challenger Bob Regola.
GOP leaders had invested heavily on Regola, a supervisor from Hempfield Township, Westmoreland County. They believed Kukovich, a liberal, was ill-suited to represent a district that has grown increasingly conservative.
Like their colleagues in the House, Senate Republicans also extended their majority by one seat, 30-20.
Three sitting senators won election to higher office - Charlie Dent (R.,Lehigh) and Allyson Schwartz (D., Phila.) are going to the U.S. House, and Jack Wagner (D., Allegheny) will become Pennsylvania's next auditor general.
Special elections to fill their Senate seats will be held in the spring.
In Chester County's 156th District, Rep. Elinor Z. Taylor, 83, captured her 15th term in Harrisburg, defeating challenger Barbara McIlvaine Smith.
Two incumbent Republicans from Chester County, had a case of déja-vu yesterday.
As was the case in 2002, Rep. Chris Ross defeated Democrat Mario Calvarese to win the 158th District, and Rep. Arthur Hershey outpolled Democrat Nancy Cox in the 13th District.
Contact staff writer Mario F. Cattabiani at 717-787-5990 or cattabiani@phillynews.com
Philadelphia Inquirer
October 14, 2004
A district full of swing voters keeps partisan rhetoric muted in the 153d Jon Fox is the GOP candidate for state representative; Josh Shapiro is the Democrat. Both play down party affiliations.
BYLINE: By Michael Vitez; Inquirer Staff Writer
BODY:
When Jon Fox and Josh Shapiro campaign door-to-door in Abington, they don't wear buttons touting George W. Bush or John Kerry.
The literature they hand out makes no mention of Republicanor Democratbut says merely: "Elect Josh Shapiro State Representative" or "Jon Fox for State Representative."
Shapiro asserted on the back of one mailing, "My plan is neither Democratic nor Republican - it's common sense."
This is local politics, Abington-style.
Abington, with 56,000 residents, is full of swing voters, independent people who often toss party loyalty aside.
Affiliating with Bush or Kerry will not help in the 153d Legislative District. A local candidate might lose a vote as easily as gain one.
The contrast between the men adds flavor to this hard-fought contest. Each has spent about $200,000 on one of the most competitive and expensive Statehouse races.
Fox, 57, a former U.S. representative, is running for a seat in Harrisburg that he first held 19 years ago. The Republican touts a long record of community service and significantly more experience than Shapiro.
“I can hit the ground running in Harrisburg," Fox said. "No reason the district should have a learning curve."
"People love Jon Fox because he takes care of them," said Fox campaign manager Bill Mason. "That's half the job of a state representative. When people have a problem, when they're down on their luck, when they're not getting a response from government, Jon Fox delivers."
Shapiro, 31, claims to have more innovative ideas to solve Abington's problems. He worked five years as chief of staff for Joseph Hoeffel, who beat Fox for Congress six years ago. This is Shapiro's first attempt at elected office.
"We need somebody with new ideas," Shapiro said. "I think we need some new leadership. Jon Fox had this job. He does not have a record of distinction. His ideas are clearly yesterday kind of thinking.
"I believe my bipartisan approach is exactly what the community is looking for," Shapiro added. "I'm going to fight for this district, find creative solutions to our problems. I'm not afraid to take on my party when I think they 're wrong."
Both agree that key issues in Abington are reducing property taxes, expanding health insurance, increasing state education funding, and dealing with sprawl.
In Abington, which has two hospitals, one of the biggest concerns is keeping doctors from leaving because of frivolous lawsuits that contribute to high malpractice premiums.
Fox claims that on his first day in office he will introduce legislation to change the state's constitution and cap non-economic damages in malpractice cases. "Caps are the cornerstone upon which all other solutions are built."
Shapiro claims he has a comprehensive plan for insurance and tort reform. He wants lawyers suspended for filing one frivolous lawsuit and deprived of their bar cards if they do it twice.
Both say they have plans to make health insurance more affordable. Fox supports tax credits for small businesses. Shapiro wants to allow small businesses and individuals to pool their purchasing power to get better rates.
Both say they support Roe v. Wade and abortion rights, though Fox opposes using public funds.
Fox's wife, Judi, said the six years her husband has been out of office have been difficult.
"He missed it terribly," she said. "When he lost reelection to Congress, I found my husband going to senior centers, on the town watch, to local meetings.
And people continued to call.... This is a person who wants to help people."
Fox, a part-time lawyer and teacher, said the state legislature is the right place for him.
"It was a great honor in Congress," said Fox. "But this is my niche. I was close to the people. When people call me with a problem, I go to their house. I give out my home phone. How often do politicians do that?"
Shapiro started working on Capitol Hill the week he graduated with honors from the University of Rochester.
He had planned on being a doctor like his father, Steven, head of pediatrics at Abington Memorial Hospital, but two things happened in college. He took organic chemistry, and he ran for school president - and won - his freshman year.
Shapiro attended Georgetown University Law School at night while working for Hoeffel, then moved to Abington in 2003, taking a job with a Philadelphia law firm. He soon announced he was running for office. He says he's worn out three pairs of shoes knocking on doors.
Shapiro's biggest hurdle may be the voter loyalty Fox has earned over the years.
Ashley Spearman, an architect from Glenside, had a problem with the state building code in the 1980s. He called Fox. Two days later, he was in Fox's office in Harrisburg meeting with the head of the state's department of licensing and inspections.
"I was very impressed by that," Spearman said.
Spearman met Shapiro a few weeks ago when he came to his door. "In Shapiro's favor, he does seem excellent at conceptualizing new ideas," Spearman said. But Spearman will vote for Fox. "I think he has a good track record, and I think his knowledge of how Harrisburg works will probably make him a very effective legislator again."
Mary Knox, 64, lives in the largely African American section of town called Crestmont.
"I like Fox," she said. "He doesn't only come around during election time. He was just wonderful when my husband died. Honestly. You could just go to him and talk about things."
Shapiro supporters are equally fervent.
"Every now and then a candidate comes along that makes you a true believer,"
said Marge Sexton, a Democratic committeewoman handing out literature with Shapiro at the Glenside station.
"In a year when the Kerry campaign is so important to me it almost hurts me to devote so much time to Josh, but he has charisma, intellect, a grasp on every issue."
Alan Rothman went to a recent debate between the two. "I know Josh is superior," he said after. "He's younger, dynamic, willing to be nonpartisan, intelligent, a real mover."
Many remain undecided.
"I don't know who I'm voting for yet," longtime resident Nancy Zucker said after the debate. "I think they're both good people, and that's my problem. Jon 's done this before, and Josh seems to be very well qualified. Talk to me on Nov. 1."