The man who might have replaced Fumo says Farnese has a ‘hard act to follow’

DENVER--For months, former Philadelphia City Controller Joe Vignola was planning to run as an independent for the 1st Senatorial District seat long held by retiring and indicted state Sen. Vince Fumo (D-Philadelphia).

But when Fumo dropped out of what became a tightly-contested April primary that was taken by young Center City lawyer Larry Farnese, Vignola, a lifelong Democrat, decided not to run because it would cause trouble for the party's nominee.

With Democrats overwhelmingly outnumbering Republicans in the district, Republican Jack Morley is not expected to fare well in November.

During a cocktail party here Monday evening for the state delegation, Vignola expressed confidence in Farnese, but also some slight doubts.

"It's going to be a hard act to follow," Vignola said of replacing Fumo, who has held the seat for 30 years but faces a federal corruption trial in September. "The important thing is he has the intellectual ability to learn."

Vignola's biggest concern, he said, is that a Philadelphian will no longer be the senior Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, a post Fumo has occupied for years.

"That could have a devastating impact," Vignola told PolitickerPa.com.

He also elaborated on his change of heart about staying in the race, saying he feared his presence on the ballot could affect votes for president.

"With a credible Democratic candidate running as the nominee, I could cause the top of the ticket some trouble," Vignola said.

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