The race for the 17th is going to be interesting because it's pretty busy already. We have 3 confirmed candidates from the GOP corner, 1 confirmed from the Dems, with a rumor of yet another Dem?

Daylin Leach is the first to set up office - he choose Bryn Mawr - he is doing a good thing by renting an empty space in the Bryn Mawr Film Institute - the store front opposite MilkBoy Bryn Mawr - a mitzvah that YES deserves an "atta boy" because we ALL can agree that we LOVE the Bryn Mawr Film Institute, right? (We think every politician and candidate should support Bryn Mawr Film Institute and not just with words)
Now Daylin apparently has his website chosen: http://www.votedaylin.com/ - and yes, we are just going to say it now, get it over with and hope that no one feels the need to discuss it again because it backfired big time last time - once upon a time he had a blog. So friggin' what? If you are a politician and you have a blog or post on a blog, let's not be fool enough to throw a blog stone, okay? It just makes you the poster child of peurile even if you are exercising your 1st Amendment Rights...and amusingly enough and truthfully enough, when he was first starting out he did some stand up comedy. So what? That's old already.....

Above falls into the category of politically obvious asinine comments like those made by some making a big hairy deal that Lance Rogers went from Independent to Republican? So what? We're not all Joe Liebermans and Michael Bloombergs on this bus and HOW many politicians have changed parties over the years? Didn't Joe Hoeffel used to be a Republican? Didn't Bob Rovner used to be a Republican? WHO CARES! Look at all Lance has done while in his first term as commissioner and look what he did before out of dedication for community. It's nothing to sneeze at, and best of all, he's approachable.

So when you choose your candidate: look at the person: do they have a sense of honor? Are they available to speak to you and not off vacationing all the time or down the shore or on the golf course? Do you see them more than just election season? (hint to Jim Gerlach, we haven't seen much of you in Ardmore of late, now that you have announced will we be seeing you around?) Do you see and hear from your candidate whether you are of humble origins or rich as Croesus? Do they respect you if you have a differing opinion or do they make mental book for later? Do not be the fool who chooses your candidate for office based upon the fact you may be from the same political persuasion. Choose whom you wish to represent you by THEM because you believe in THEM the individual, not because someone told you that is the way you should vote and you should believe in taht particular person. Vote from your heart and add common sense. And if you have questions, ask the questions.....So before we get to the articles that further establishes the relevance of this conversation, we have some additional thoughts about politics.

When someone says they are running from one specific party, but as an "independent", does that mean "yes" they are of that political party, but "no" they haven't been and might not become an endorsed choice? Also,running for races such as this mean the candidates open themselves up to be under a public microscope, creating instant political relevance and like it or not a candidate today will appear on blogs and in traditional media everywhere (not just here, even if we are the center of the universe - - that's humor, you humor free serious people). It may or may not be an opinion to the politician's liking, but hey you know what? People have first amendment rights. You can't run for office and not be hip to that which is inalienable. Politicians that do that generally have problems as no one wants to elect a bully, right?

Take for example, our retiring State Senator, Connie Williams. She is someone that we have not always agreed with and seen things her way 100% of the time, but you know what? She has always respected that. Connie is just. And also relevant? Read her bio - these are big shoes to be filled:

About Connie:

In Harrisburg
Senator Connie Williams (D-17th, Delaware and Montgomery) was first elected to the state Senate in 2001. She served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1997 to 2001. She is the Senate Democratic Caucus Administrator. Her committee assignments include Democratic Chair of Communications and Technology, Transportation, Finance, Policy, Aging and Youth, and Local Government.....Senator Williams has a strong record of community involvement....In 2004, Gov. Ed Rendell appointed the Senator to serve as his representative on the Board of Directors of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.....She is a Fellow of the Philadelphia Academy of Physicians, a member of the board of trustees at The Episcopal Academy, a former trustee at Barnard College, The Baldwin School, and Pine Manor College, and a member of the Trustees’ Council of Penn Women and the Forum of Executive Women.....Professional Experience: Senator Williams was the economic development and small business coordinator for Pennsylvania’s 13th Congressional District; a program officer for the Eisenhower Exchange Fellowships; and a consultant for the Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers.....Senator Williams received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Barnard College and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Here in Lower Merion, we have tough choices to make between the candidates because both have been good to the community. In our minds, this upcoming race is only really between Commissioner Lance Rogers and State Representative Daylin Leach.

We're not taking Conshohocken Native John Durante too seriously because we heard this wasn't really his idea to run? And he presents a pickle that may best be left to cure in the barrel some more,eh?

And Bob Rovner who at this point is a mere rumor? Didn't he hold this job once before under another party banner in Bucks County? Thirty years ago? Also, several blogs also say he is rumored to run for congress against Gerlach? Maybe "Charming Bob" should just be called "Rumor Bob" at this point? Here: visit this this blog, this blog, and this blog. It's not "See Spot Run", it's "Will Bob Run and What Race?"

We found humor in the fact that there is a Wikipedia page on this already

In addition to Daylin and his website for the campaign, recently announced candidate Lisa Paolino from Radnor has a blog called http://paolinoforsenate.blogspot.com/ - we assume a campaign site will be forthcoming or is this it? Will she open a campaign HQ in Lower Merion's Bryn Mawr as reported in the paper today?

Lance Rogers has his own website for Commissioner stuff http://www.lancerogers.net/ - he has had this site a long time. We know he's already reportedly raised some serious dough, so where will his office be? Will he follow the political trend to Bryn Mawr, or will he pick Main Street Ardmore, or will he go to Wayne to get to know the nice people out there?

We can't find a web site or anything web related for John Durante other then his Montgomery County website which has a catchy tune on this page borrowed from "COPS" or whatever - pretty friggin' funny actually....if he comes door to door to campaign will the tune play? Bad boys, bad boys whatcha gonna do? Bad boys, bad boys whatcha gonna do...whatcha gonna do when they come for you?" (LOVE IT! Totally rockin' tune for a sherrif to have, right?

So, here after much ado, are two articles that you should be reading:

Tue, Jan 22, 2008
Paolino making a run
Radnor commissioner eyes state Senate seat
By Sam Strike

A Radnor Township commissioner is in the running for a seat in the Pennsylvania State Senate.Lisa Paolino, who was recently re-elected in a close election to represent the 5th Ward of the township, will face a number of challengers for the 17th Senatorial District seat, which will be left open by the retirement of Connie Williams....According to Paolino's fledgling blog, endorsements are unsure as of yet. But Paolino says she is running as an "independent Republican" and with or without official endorsement.

She says her endorsement will be "by and of the people."

Nominating petitions with 500 signatures from registered Republicans in the district are due to be filed by Feb. 12.

Paolino said she will open an office in Bryn Mawr as early as next week.

Mimi Auchincloss, chair of the Republican Party of Radnor, said that committee has not yet met to endorse a candidate for the state Senate seat.....Radnor residents account for about 8 percent of the district's populace. The 17th District covers full and parts of a number of areas, including Bridgeport, Conshohocken, East Norriton Township, Haverford Township, Lower Merion Township, Narberth, Norristown, Plymouth Township, Radnor Township, Upper Merion Township and West Conshohocken.

Sheriff John P. Durante will seek the Republican nomination for state senator
By Joel Hoffmann, Reporter01/24/2008

Montgomery County Sheriff John P. Durante announced Jan. 14 that he is seeking the Republican Party's nomination in the Pennsylvania State Senate race that will determine who succeeds Sen. Connie Williams (D-17).

"I feel that at this time in my career, I could be an asset to the Senate," he said.
Durante said that his experience as a police officer, firefighter and EMS responder puts him in a unique position to help state legislators craft sound public policy on traffic, law enforcement and homeland security issues.

He will campaign on a platform of lower property taxes, increased public safety and political reform in Harrisburg.

He also will call for increased funding for mass transit and open-space preservation.
Late last month, community members asked Durante to consider the nomination after Sen. Williams said she would step aside when her term expires.

They organized an exploratory commission and concluded that Durante is the strongest candidate for the seat because of his name recognition, bipartisan appeal and fund-raising skill.

Ahhhhhh...let the spin begin....welcome to Electiongate '08....folks in the 17th, we would like to know what very specific issues concern you that you truly want addressed this election season as Pennsylvanians? REAL issues from REAL people! Tell us! And better yet, if you have a question for the candidates, post them as well. If you post a question, try to behave :lol:- after all it is no secret most politicians read this website...also, if you see snippets about candidates on other blogs and websites, feel free to provide a link. Rock on, Main Line Voters...remember it's YOUR state too! Have a say in how it is run. Enough of top down traditions....

Amendment I
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.