Dougherty resolves to unseat Fumo

State Sen. Vince Fumo yesterday offered a brief reaction to the news that John Dougherty, head of the electricians' union, is running for his Senate seat: Bring it on.

"Sen. Fumo is thrilled," said Gary Tuma, his spokesman in Harrisburg. "He says he's been waiting for this for a long time."

Fumo, 64, is looking to extend his 30-year career in the Senate in spite of a pending federal trial on corruption charges and the announced opposition of anti-casino activist Anne Dicker, 35.

Dougherty, locked in a bitter feud with Fumo for nearly a decade, said in a phone interview yesterday that he began collecting voter signatures Sunday night and intends to become a candidate, no matter who's in the race.

"It could be three [candidates], it could be five, it really doesn't matter," Dougherty said. "I've talked to my family, the leadership of the union, some ward leaders and some community leaders. Their response has been overwhelming at every corner."

Dougherty, 47, is a former Democratic Party treasurer with strong allies in the party organization, though he gave up the party post two years ago in a dispute with the party chairman, U.S. Rep. Bob Brady.

Political sources speculated yesterday that his potential candidacy was a strategic effort to interfere with Fumo's dropping out of the race in favor of a last-minute candidacy by someone else.

They recalled how former Sen. Hardy Williams surprised the political establishment in 1998 by announcing his retirement hours before the filing deadline. His son Anthony was the only candidate who had gathered enough signatures to make the ballot and succeed his father.

Dougherty sounded every bit the candidate yesterday.

"I intend to knock on every door, sit in every kitchen and keep this campaign entirely positive," he said. "The number-one issue will be crime."

In 2006, Dicker placed a credible second in a three-way primary race for the state House, battling two candidates who had the backing of the Dougherty and Fumo organizations.

"To me it feels like déjà vu," Dicker said in a phone interview yesterday. "This is what happened in 2006, except then it was a proxy war. This time it's the old-boys network, finally deciding to go head-to-head. I'm looking forward to taking on both political machines."

Fumo has already amassed a significant war chest, totaling $664,870 in November.

"Money will not be an issue," said Dougherty. "We'll have a few dollars more than whatever it takes."

He said he intends to retain his position as business manager of Local 98, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), throughout the campaign and if he wins, as a state senator.

Dougherty also remains chairman of the Philadelphia Redevelopment Authority, but it's unclear whether he'll hold onto the position in the Nutter administration.

"The mayor and I just started discussions about that," Dougherty said. *