This just in...a caucus of ward leaders was held today in the 179th legislative districts to decide who to endorse in the 179th state house legislative district. The way a party endorsement works in a state leg district is that the ward leaders vote, and the candidate who ends up with the most divisions wins.

Challenger Guy Lewis has received the party endorsement over incumbent State Representative Tony Payton Jr. There are 55 divisions in the 179th and Lewis won the endorsement, receiving 33 divisions.

How you ask?

• Marge Tartaglione, 62nd ward leader, controls 14 divisons.
• Danny Savage, 23rd ward leader, controls 16 divisions.
• Bill Dolbow, 35th ward leader, controls 3 divisons.

Total = insanity.

No matter how Tony came to be in power, I thought that as an incumbent, he'd be guaranteed a spot. After all, do you remember what Congressman Brady did when some folks organized to run against incumbent committee people in the 30th ward?

He sent this letter to ward leader, Terry Gillen:

March 8, 2006

Dear Terry,
It has come to my attention that there is an organized effort to file petitions to become a Democratic committee person in many wards in the city. It is clear that this effort has been started by forces that seek to polarize and destroy this party. I strongly urge you to oppose their efforts. I suggest that you immediately notify me at City Committee of the divisions where this has occurred. I will have the petition reviewed to determine if it is defective. If it is, I will assist you in filing a petition with the Common Pleas Court to have the person stricken from the ballot on behalf of your designated candidate in that division.

We are a family united. As your leader and friend, I will fight to make sure we remain united.

I will also prepare withdrawal slips for these individuals that filed and I will try to have them withdrawn.

Very truly yours,
signed
ROBERT A. BRADY, CHAIRMAN
Democratic County Executive
Committee of Philadelphia

"We are a family united," eh?

Tony has brought over $5 million to his district, offers housing counseling and job services from his office, has made a commitment to improving schools and has been an amazing progressive ally and leader, most notably his bill to make college more affordable for Pennsylvania students.

Tony went to Harrisburg two years ago, without the endorsement of the party, and apparently now he'll have to do it again.