Quinones-Sanchez wants four more years

By Tom Waring

Times Staff Writer

One day after Dan Savage announced he would try to regain his former seat, Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez officially declared she was seeking a second term.

Quinones-Sanchez (D-7th dist.) defeated Savage in the Democratic primary in 2007. He had won the seat in a special election in November 2006.

The '07 match-up also featured Marnie Aument-Loughrey, who finished third.

Aument-Loughrey is running for Traffic Court this year. She and her mom, outspoken 33rd Ward Democratic leader Donna Aument, attended Quinones-Sanchez's Feb. 15 campaign announcement.

The event was held at Sankofa Freedom Academy Charter School, at 4256 Paul St., the former home of Mater Dolorosa Elementary School.

Also in attendance were longtime Frankford activist Bill Gambrel, state Rep. Dwight Evans and Council members Wilson Goode Jr., Bill Green, Marian Tasco, Blondell Reynolds Brown, Donna Reed Miller and Curtis Jones.

The elected officials praised Quinones-Sanchez for her three years in office.

"I can't believe you have opponents," Miller said.

The 2007 campaign was a slugfest between Quinones-Sanchez and Savage, and the rematch is also expected to be contentious.

"Forget the rhetoric, look at the results," Evans told the crowd.

Aument said Quinones-Sanchez and her staff are accessible, adding that she takes exception when she hears that the councilwoman - the first Hispanic woman on Council - favors Latinos when it comes to constituent service.

"Bull," the ward leader said, "Maria services everybody."

Aument aside, Savage is expected to have most of the ward leaders in his camp, which could help if turnout is lower than it was in 2007, when five prominent Democrats sought the mayor's office. Savage is Democratic leader of the 23rd Ward, based in Northwood and Frankford.

And, while Service Employees International Union 32BJ was boisterous in its support of the incumbent, the challenger is expected to have considerable union support. In fact, Sprinkler Fitters Local 692 boss Wayne Miller, a district resident, is chairing Savage's campaign.

On the same night that the councilwoman was announcing her re-election bid, Savage was beginning a petition-gathering drive at the Juniata Golf Course banquet hall. Former City Controller Jonathan Saidel introduced him at the event.

So far in the campaign, Savage has walked the Frankford Avenue business corridor, visited senior citizen centers and knocked on doors.

Elected officials supporting Savage include state Sens. Tina Tartaglione and Mike Stack, City Controller Alan Butkovitz and state Reps. John Sabatina Jr. and Angel Cruz.

The incumbent acknowledges that she ruffles some feathers in the local political arena, but she believes that shows she has an independent streak.

Two re-election campaign offices are planned, one near Fifth Street and Lehigh Avenue and another at 1633 Orthodox St. in Frankford.

"We intend to win in Frankford," Quinones-Sanchez said.

In her first term, Quinones-Sanchez said she fulfilled her promises by focusing on issues such as educational opportunities, affordable housing and small business tax relief.

"It's about jobs, jobs and more jobs," she said.

The councilwoman said she's assembled a staff that represents every area of the diverse district. She has worked with six Police District Advisory Council (PDAC) groups on topics like bicycle and foot patrols and a gun buyback initiative.

The City Hall office, she said, will assist all 159,000 constituents.

"I will work with everyone," she said.

Quinones-Sanchez has wondered what Savage has done for the last three years.

Savage countered that he is busy serving as ward leader and has been active as president of the Deni Playground Advisory Council. The advisory council, under his leadership, has made various playground improvements and built up the baseball and basketball programs.

After Savage lost in the 2007 primary, he supported Quinones-Sanchez in the general election, invited her to ward meetings and escorted her to 23rd Ward polling places on Election Day.

The former councilman believes he can work better with community leaders and public officials.

"There's a clear difference between me and Maria Sanchez. She's wrong for the district," he    said.

Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at  215-354-3034 or twaring@bsmphilly.com