Mission Improbable

by Mary F. Patel

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Published: May 21, 2008

On a quest to change the political landscape in the city and in Harrisburg, two young turks from Philly's beleaguered Republican Party are seeking seats in the state House. Wally Zimolong (pictured) wants to beat incumbent Democratic state Rep. Babette Josephs in the 182nd District, while Matt Taubenberger wants to succeed GOP state Rep. George Kenney in the 170th.

Taubenberger is the son of former GOP mayoral candidate Al Taubenberger, who may go down in history as the one of the most polite candidates to ever run for Philadelphia mayor (his "debates" with Democrat Michael Nutter often seemed more like cozy conversations). The younger Taubenberger is a former juvenile probation officer and now works in the office of Kenney, the man he hopes to succeed, as director of constituent services.

Shawn May

Kenney, whose district includes parts of the Northeast and Abington, has served since 1985, and isn't running for re-election. He got a run for his money two years back from Democrat Brendan Boyle, but remains popular in the district and is often seen socially with Speaker of the House Dennis O'Brien. He did not return phone calls for comment on his choice to leave Harrisburg.

Taubenberger is running on a platform of making neighborhoods safer by putting more police on the street. Kenney's long tenure may help Taubenberger, but Boyle, who is running again, could benefit from Democratic campaigning in the presidential election.

Zimolong, an attorney, may have an even harder path to the House. Josephs has held her seat since 1984, and has fended off numerous challenges, including two in primaries from Andrew Hohns, with whom Zimolong recently met. Zimolong thinks he can beat Josephs, but figures he'll need to raise $100,000 to do so. Calling the incumbent "stale," he says he is knocking on doors, trying to reach out to the Democratic base of her district, which encompasses parts of Center City, South Philly and Grays Ferry. He says it's time for Josephs, born in 1940, to step aside and give younger candidates a shot.

Josephs said she did not care to comment.

Zimolong and Taubenberger, who are both 30 years old, held a joint fundraiser at the South Street bar Paddy Wacks last Friday night. Zimolong says the pair should be considered "the new face of the party." Republican City Committee Executive Director Al Schmidt says he likes what he sees.

"Wally is a maverick," he says of Zimolong. "His independent-minded approach to issues is exactly in line with that district and if anyone can beat the do-nothing incumbent, it's Wally."

Schmidt, on the lighter side of 40 and a former federal campaign operative, was installed in GOP headquarters to revive and beef up the Philly Republicans, and possibly restore to Philadelphia the status of a two-party town.

This and That

Michael Nutter made the scene last Monday night at the grand opening of 10 Arts restaurant in the lobby of the Ritz-Carlton hotel. Nutter arrived later in the evening and hung by the spacious bar with a bodyguard lingering close by. Waiters carried small plates of appetizers to Nutter as he hobnobbed with guests who angled to have their pictures taken with him, as if he were a celebrity.

There was quite a buzz that evening in the restaurant, most likely a result of the enormous amount of Veuve Clicquot that was consumed.

Chef for 10 Arts is Eric Ripert of Le Bernardin in New York City.

(rcpatel@aol.com)

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