“The Brawl In the Sprawl” –A Primer On Commissioner Mania in Montco
I can’t believe it. A brawl in the suburban sprawl. Talker Michael Smerconish has got to be loving this one.
The upcoming primary battle for control of the Montgomery County Commission is enough to make Republican leaders cry.
First of all, current commissioners Jim Matthews and Tom Ellis, no political lightweights, are running hard. So is DA Bruce Caster and his declared running mate, Melissa Murphy-Weber. This is a clash of titans, with Republican National Committeeman Bob Asher, a sworn Castor enemy, watching with anxiety from the sidelines.
And then comes the Democrats. Former Congresssman Joe Hoeffel will run alongside incumbent Ruth Damsker.
The hope is that the Dems can win two of three seats in November.
Not so fast!
If Castor and Matthews win, and they gain the majority in November. Who becomes the top gun? Well, the surviving Democrat will decide! If both Democrats win two out of three in November, one of the Republicans would be the minority member.
What a potential mess.
The most interesting moment will be the Republican Primary which will be fought with the money and intensity of a Presidentil battle.
Castor has staked his future on this one. Matthews and Ellis will not be denied. Murphy-Weber is hoping that she and Castor can wipe out the incumbents.
This all reads like a political tragedy written at the moment the Roman Empire started crumblng down.
For people who watch politics like a blood sport, the usually quiet and boring Republican Primary for Commissioner in Montgomery Countyt may be the wildest primary ever in the history of a county once known as the most Republican in America.
Enjoy the Philadelphia Mayor’s Race. I will. But keep an eye on the prize in Norristown.
Anger. Money. Ambition. Raw Power.
It’s a the real-life novel in Norristown.
Comments(8)
Interesting report on the battle for the Montgomery County Commission. The interesting part is that it’s a two party race. Unlike the Philadelphia Mayoral race which seems to be a one party race. Are the Republicans bailing out on Philadelphia? Five choices for Democrats and not one Republican candidate. Can’t even find a Gus Hall for this one ;-).
I think it’s lame that the Republicans are bailing out on Philadelphia, myself. Hell, if I lived in the city, I feel like I could just get up and run for the spot right now!
As for Montgomery County Commission, I have to go with Bruce Castor on this one. I have really come to admire his work as District Attorney, and anything to move him up in Pennsylvania will be worth while.
brown is not running!
it is melissa murphy WEBER!!!!!
it is WEBER-CASTOR a TEAM to unite etc.
And Melissa Weber is most definately FEMALE.
Jack-Greg-Ezr and Ken
great comments. ezr–was I thinking Murphy Brown?
Thanks fixing that
Larry..
Thanks FOR fixing that.
You give Matthews and Ellis WAY too much credit. “Not political lightweights?” Give me a break!
Paul:
Ellis and Matthews are no political lightweights. That is fact.
Will they survive? Hard to say. But they are incumbents, and as I said, “they are no political lightweights.
Take care.
Larry