By Tom Waring
Wire Staff Writer
State Rep. Brendan Boyle last Tuesday won a surprisingly easy victory in the 13th Congressional District Democratic primary, declaring victory at Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 5 headquarters in Philadelphia.
His younger brother, Kevin, also a state representative, delivered the good news to the crowd.
“We won,” he said.
When Brendan Boyle declared his candidacy a year ago, his poll showed him behind 32 percentage points, but he was not deterred.
“We worked like hell,” he said.
In the end, he overcame frontrunner Marjorie Margolies, a former congresswoman who had support from Bill and Hillary Clinton, Ed Rendell and top officials in Montgomery County.
Boyle, the only Philadelphian in the race, had about 41 percent of the overall vote, followed by Margolies with 27 percent, state Sen. Daylin Leach with 17 percent and Dr. Val Arkoosh with 15 percent.
All three conceded to Boyle before he declared victory.
Boyle took almost 70 percent of the vote in Philadelphia. Margolies, who had the support of five ward leaders, was a distant second with 18 percent. Arkoosh took 8 percent, while Leach — who grew up in the city — managed just 5 percent.
“Our number in Philadelphia is overwhelming,” Boyle said.
Boyle did better in Montgomery County than he expected. He was running last, but taking about 16 percent of the vote. Margolies led the way with 35 percent, followed by Leach (27 percent) and Arkoosh (22 percent). All three live in the county.
The seat is open because Democratic Rep. Allyson Schwartz ran for governor.
During the campaign, Boyle spoke of running to represent the “forgotten middle class.” He had strong backing from unions. And he thanked his “amazing” legislative staff.
“Brendan ran a great campaign,” said John McNesby, president of FOP Lodge 5.
All four candidates were well funded, whether it came through traditional fundraising, contributions from their own fortunes or donations from super PACs.
Arkoosh wanted to bring a “different kind of voice to Congress.”
“I hope we can continue that same spirit working together to bring new people with new ideas to the table,” she wrote to supporters on Facebook.
Boyle portrayed his opponents as “Montgomery County millionaires.” In one of his mailings, the other three candidates were pictured on million-dollar bills.
Boyle will face Dee Adcock, a swimming pool company owner who gave a strong showing against Schwartz in 2010. He defeated Beverly Plosa-Bowser, a retired U.S. Air Force colonel, with about 66 percent of the vote.
In Philadelphia, Adcock won 54 percent of the vote. He rolled up 71 percent in Montgomery County.
In a Facebook posting, Adcock thanked his volunteers and those who voted for him.
“I’d like to recognize Beverly Plosa-Bowser and her team for running a great race and appreciate her service to our country. Because of her efforts, we are a better and stronger team as we look toward November.”
In a Facebook posting, Plosa-Bowser said she did not have the money to make her case. She endorsed Adcock.
“I want to encourage everyone who supported my campaign to unite behind our party’s nominee.”
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In the race for governor, Tom Wolf easily won the Democratic primary and will face Gov. Tom Corbett, who was unopposed on the Republican side.
Wolf, a wealthy York County businessman and former secretary of the state Department of Revenue, won every county in the state.
With most of the votes counted, Wolf had 58 percent, followed by U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz (18 percent), State Treasurer Rob McCord (17 percent) and former state Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Katie McGinty (8 percent).
Schwartz, the early frontrunner, called Wolf to concede before she addressed supporters at a hotel in Center City Philadelphia.
“I wished him the best and told him he has my full support in beating Tom Corbett this November,” she said.
McGinty issued a statement on election night also backing Wolf.
“I want to congratulate Tom for running a great campaign and a well-earned victory tonight. And I want to make it clear right now — I wholeheartedly endorse Tom Wolf, and I will be all in to help Tom Wolf defeat Tom Corbett in November,” she said.
Wolf’s running mate will be state Sen. Mike Stack.
Stack, of Philadelphia, started the election cycle going for his party’s gubernatorial nomination. He had a financial edge on the field of five, having carried over money from his Senate and governor accounts. He also was listed first on the ballot.
With almost all of the vote counted, Stack had 47 percent, followed by former congressman Mark Critz (16 percent), Bradford County Commission Mark Smith (15 percent), Harrisburg City Councilman Brad Koplinski (12 percent) and state Rep. Brandon Neuman (11 percent).
Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley was unopposed on the Republican ticket.
