Al Taubenberger at the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. File Photo/Morgan Zalot

Editor’s Note: This post has been updated with comments from incumbent Pa. Rep. Kevin Boyle, D-172nd).

State Rep. Kevin Boyle has already announced his re-election bid for the 172nd Legislative District.

And if Al Taubenberger accepts the endorsement the Republican City Committee has offered, the two will square off in the general election.

Taubenberger, of Burholme, told NEast Philly today he’s still considering the endorsement and weighing whether he’ll run. We spoke with him after the Public Record reported he’d already decided to enter the race. continue reading »

Fox Chase attorney Robert Nix hasn't decided if he'll run for the 172nd Legislative seat in the next election. Photo by G.E. Reutter

Fox Chase attorney Robert S. Nix had been mulling over a run against freshman State Rep. Kevin Boyle in next year’s race, but it seems unlikely he’ll go for it.

“Before I would make such a decision, my considerations include, first and foremost, my family,” he said. “It was an incredibly enriching and fulfilling experience to run for state Senate in 2008, but it was also highly demanding on my wife and three daughters. I would fully expect that at least several qualified Republicans in the new 172nd District will seek the nomination, and if so, I will not run.” continue reading »

City Councilman Brian O’Neill was victorious in yesterday’s election, retaining his spot as the only Republican District representative on Council. O’Neill handily defeated Democratic challenger Bill Rubin.

The race for the Northeast’s 10th Councilmanic District was seen as one of the most competitive in Philadelphia, with O’Neill fighting to keep the seat he’s held since 1979.

Democrat Bill Rubin attempted to tie O’Neill to the controversial DROP retirement program, even though the incumbent has said he will not take advantage of it. O’Neill thinks that tactic hurt his challenger. continue reading »

It was 9:30 on election night and about 50 people were waiting for Bill Rubin in a bar that smelled like hot wings.

The Sternos were keeping the food hot at the Red Rooster Inn, and sitcoms played on the flatscreen as accommodating bartenders surfed the channels for results. Rubin was trailing with 47 percent of the vote in the 10th Councilmanic District. The Democrat was challenging incumbent Republican Brian O’Neill, who’s represented the district for 32 years. This was the first serious challenge to O’Neill in his three decades at the helm.

“Vote for my dad Bill Rubin,” read the navy and white shirts his son and daughter wore. His wife, parents, brother and sister had similar tops, while his other supporters donned their general pro-Rubin shirts over long sleeves with “push button 227″ on the back. continue reading »

Photo by Flickr user kristib2pea

It’s election day in Philadelphia and polls are open until 8 tonight. You have until then to get to your voting place and elect the candidates of your choice.

In the Northeast, 7th District Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez and 9th District Councilwoman Marian Tasco are the shoe-in candidates, having defeated their challengers in the primary.

In the 6th District, Democrat Bobby Henon and Republican Sandy Stewart will face off to replace Joan Krajewski, while incumbent Republican Brian O’Neill and Democrat Bill Rubin will go head-to-head in the 10th. continue reading »

Okay, crazy time is here.

If you’re running a competitive political campaign, there comes a point in the closing days of the race, when you realize that this is, or could be really close, and any little thing could make the 100-vote difference, and somebody is putting out some scurrilous crap that could cost you this thing, which by the way you’ve been working 18 hours a day on for so long you don’t remember what clean laundry even looks like, and you’ll be damned if you’re going to let them get away with it and….lord only knows what will follow.

In the Northeast Philadelphia City Council race, incumbent Brian O’Neill’s campaign has filed complaints with the city board of elections, the city board of ethics and the District Attorney’s office about mailings that have reached voters touting the candidacy of his Democratic opponent, Bill Rubin.

You can read the O’Neill campaign’s complaint by clicking here.

O’Neill’s folks are steamed because the mailer doesn’t say who paid for it – a violation of the state election code – AND because the mailer has the wrong hours for voting on November 8th. As you can see above, it says that polls open from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m..

You can read the rest of this blog post from Dave Davies on NewsWorks.

From left, Northeast GOP candidates for city council-at-large: Al Taubenberger, Denny O'Brien, Joe McColgan. Photo by Pamela Seaton.

With the fall election season underway seven City Council At-Large candidates came together recently at the WHYY studio for a political debate that, considering the stakes of the upcoming election, was a testament to measured, thoughtful politics. With seven participants in attendance – five Republicans and two Democrats – the debate covered everything from Occupy Philadelphia to the transparency of government to specific questionable activities of each candidate.

Three of the candidates – Dennis O’Brien, Al Taubenberger and Joe McColgan – have certain characteristics in common: they’re all Republicans and they all come from the Northeast. They all have a specific plan that stems from their experience in their home districts, whether it be education reforms or plans for rejuvenating local businesses. continue reading »

Democrat Bill Rubin (L) and incumbent Republican Brian O'Neill (R) at the 10th District City Council debate

It was about halfway through last night’s 10th District City Council candidate debate when Carol Kessler stood up to ask a question. But this wasn’t an audience participation type of event.

As League of Women Voters President and debate moderator Rachel Lawton explained ahead of the hour-long debate, there’d be no audience questions. Also part of the rules: incumbent Republican candidate Brian O’Neill and Democratic challenger Bill Rubin both had one minute to answer each question and 90 seconds to close their arguments.

Kessler had many questions for the two men, and though she spoke loudly and entered the aisle to make herself heard, Lawton continued with her questions as planned, leaving many of Kessler’s queries unanswered.

O’Neill and Rubin did have answers for Lawton, though some were vague and some were more swipes at each other than they were promotions for their campaigns. continue reading »

State Rep. Denny O'Brien (center) announced bipartisan endorsements for his city council campaign from Democratic Reps. Brendan (left) and Kevin (right) Boyle.

State Rep. Denny O’Brien Friday announced bipartisan endorsement from Reps. Brendan and Kevin Boyle concerning his candidacy for City Council At-Large.

The announcement took place late afternoon at Poquessing Creek Park in the heart of Parkwood, which both Brendan Boyle and O’Brien represent. Supporters driving past the park honked in support of O’Brien, while others actually pulled over to shake his hand.

“I am proud to stand here,” said Brendan Boyle during the announcement. “O’Brien is one the finest people in public service.”

Both Boyles acknowledged the rarity of bipartisan support, but made it clear their endorsement was about the candidate, not the political party. continue reading »