At Philly potluck, state Senate candidate Farnese introduces himself to 1st district voters

Larry Farnse addresses voters at a potluck dinner: Politicker Photo

PHILADELPHIA -- Democrats here didn't know much about young Larry Farnese before they made him their nominee for state Senate in the 1st district in April. They knew The Inquirer had endorsed him as something of a lesser-of-two-evils option. They heard inklings that the indicted incumbent who wasn't seeking re-election, Vincent Fumo, was backing Farnese, a Center City lawyer. But that was about it.

So it's fitting that after stunning his favored opponent and now facing a general election far less competitive than his primary, Farnese has been ntraversing the district telling his story. Sunday evening, he brought his general election campaign to the Fairmount section of the district, an area that went heavily for Anne Dicker, his underdog opponent in the primary. The online blurb inviting people to attend the potluck where Farnese would talk alluded to how little voters know about him.

"If you are like me, you do not know much about him other than the sketchy things that appeared in the media and political circulars that appeared during the campaign," wrote Bill Sensiba, a retired political science professor who hosted the potluck. "We really should know more about the man who probably will be our next state senator."

Farnese, 39, indulged their curiosity tonight, mixing i details of his upbringing and previous work in politics with his stances on policy issues from gun control and health care to education and government reform. Despite the fact that his November election is considered a sure thing -- Democrats outnumber Republicans by more than 5-1 in the district -- he pledged not to take their votes for granted.

"I'm still going out there every single day, I'm going out there working for your vote," he said.

Entering the rowhouse living room on a sweltering day, he wore a black, short-sleeved polo shirt, khaki shorts and flip-flops. Even though it was a potluck he refrained from eating, but he did make sure to bring two apple pies from the Melrose Diner, a South Philadelphia landmark on Snyder Avenue.

After harping on the need to restore a Democratic majority in the state Senate, he lauded the constituent services overseen by Fumo, who has held the state Senate seat for nine terms.

"I promise you that I'm going to do everything I can to keep that level of constituent services where it is," he said.

Addressing Philadelphia's long-running frustration with the rest of the state when it comes to gun control, he pledged to directly lobby constituents in areas typically hesitant about any form of gun control.

"We have to make it worthwhile for them," he said. "We need to make them see things our way."

But he spoke most forcefully when asked about the extent of his sometimes ambiguous connections to Fumo (see video below). Several of Fumo's Senate colleagues, as well as political action committees allied with him, donated to Farnese's campaign at Fumo's behest. Farnese's Republican opponent, Jack Morley, is taking great pains to link the two.

"The only people I answer to are the people I represent," Farnese said.

"His mistakes are his mistakes," Farnese added of Fumo. "You didn't elect Senator Fumo. You elected Larry Farnese. ... You hold me responsible, and nobody else. I don't need anybody to prop me up."

Larry Farnese answers voters' questions at a potluck dinner: Politicker PhotoAfterward, Sensiba was satisfied with Farnese's answer to what was certainly the hardest question served up by the approximately 25 neighborhood activists in attendance.

"I thought he dealt with it directly, and I'm relieved he's going to be his own man," he said. "I'll give him a chance."

On his way out, Farnese told PolitickerPA.com that despite the near-certainty of his election in November, he would continue to campaign vigorously, while also preparing to hit the ground running if he takes office in January.

"They're not just campaign events," he said of this and other stops he is making. "They serve a lot of purposes."

The 1st district stretches from Philadelphia International Airport to the city's Delaware River waterfront and includes Center City and areas of South Philadelphia and North Philadelphia.