Sen. Williams endorses Dougherty

Regan Toomer
Philadelphia Tribune
Apr 8, 2008

Williams endorsed Dougherty at the Point Breeze Performing Arts Center at 1717 Point Breeze Ave. in front of a group of community activists.

"He believes in the diversity of this city," he said.

Dougherty is running for the Senate seat that Sen. Vincent Fumo has occupied for the last 30 years.

Fumo announced his retirement last month, citing the difficulties of trying to get re-elected while facing a federal corruption trial in the fall.

Williams, who represents the city's 8th Senatorial district, said that he has been inundated with phone calls from residents on why he is endorsing Dougherty, who is the business manager for the city's Local 98 Electricians Union.

Williams' endorsement for Dougherty came a week after he was appointed to Mayor Michael Nutter's Advisory Commission on Construction Industry Diversity.

The charge for the 15 appointees is to study and develop a comprehensive program to substantially increase the participation of women and minorities with the goal of achieving a workforce that reflects the demographics of the city.

Councilmembers passed legislation in December requiring that all construction trades must attain 40 percent diversity to get bids for the $700 million expansion of the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

Dougherty's union was among the four unions that did not submit their demographic numbers in February, as required by the legislation. At the time, Dougherty called the legislation a "political move." He has since not released the demographic numbers.

A staunch supporter of diversity in the construction trades, Williams told The Philadelphia Tribune that he contacted Dougherty and asked him why he did not release the numbers.

Williams said that initially he was annoyed about Dougherty's refusal, but said the labor leader did not release the numbers because of the manner in which he was asked.

Williams said that while people may argue about the controversy surrounding his endorsement for Dougherty, he chooses not to involve himself in that, but rather the future for the 1st District.

"This endorsement is not about me losing my principles or compromising my political values … specifically with the issue with the trades and debating whether there is enough inclusion with regard to diversity," Williams said. "This is not that. I don't compromise about that."

Williams also said he thought Dougherty would look out for the best interests of African Americans in the district, which according to Williams make up about 35 percent.

"African Americans are the X-factor people have overlooked for too long," Williams said. "They go on unnoticed. They go on unserved."

Williams said he has received numerous threats for endorsing Dougherty, but he said that he does not respond to threats.

"I've made controversial decisions more than one time and this will not be the last," he said.

Dougherty held his first campaign meeting in the Point Breeze section of the city. He said that after that meeting, he knew he wanted to be a senator because he was concerned about the needs of people living in that area.

"I think I can make a difference," Dougherty said. He pledged to the community group on Monday to put an office in the Point Breeze community arts center.

Steven Johnson, who attended the announcement, lives on the 2200 block of Wilder Street in South Philadelphia and whose daughter takes dance classes at the community center.

He said he hopes that whoever the next senator would be for the district that they invest in building more community centers for the youth in that area.

Johnson said he has not seen any other politician promise to help his neighborhood. He added that he hopes Dougherty can make a difference.

"He has some good ideas," Johnson said. "I hope he can get the help that he needs."