Andy Dandy, Babette Better

The 8th Ward committee people arrived quietly at the Filter Square home of ward leader Norman Berson Tuesday at about 9 p.m. for cocktails and results of the race between incumbent state Rep. Babette Josephs and her feisty opponent, Andrew Hohns. By then, most of the results were dribbling in from the divisions, and it looked like Josephs was ahead.

"My day was encouraging," said Josephs. "I walked to every polling place."

When asked if she had to spend a lot of money on her race, Josephs replied, "Very little. It should be known that I can't be bought. I don't have a sugar daddy to give me money."

She was referring to Hohns and his financial connections in the community where Josephs feels he got the bulk of his campaign funds. Hohns, 23, works in finance for Cohen Brothers and Co. and has been waging an aggressive campaign for the past five months.

Josephs' last opponent was Greg Pastore. "At least he was a nice person who was known to do something," said Josephs.

Josephs' support came from the 8th Ward. Berson had sent a letter around to voters asking them to support Josephs as well as Ed Rendell.

And last week, 8th Ward committee member Judith Eden and her stepdaughter Carlie Seltzer hosted a party for Josephs at the Eden manse on South 16th Street.

Hohns had dreams of being somebody and took the challenge.

His mother, Nancy L. Hohns, a vice president for a public relations firm, said her son had been interested in politics since he was little.

"He used to watch Meet the Press when he was 7," she said.

Hohns went out in the district and met with people for months. He raised more than $65,000.

He ran commercials on cable. And he went negative at times with the campaign, which was a turn-off for some of the older residents.

"I am not a punching bag," said Josephs.

Hohns mantra had become "I can make a difference, and Representative Josephs has been the prime sponsor of 71 bills and only two have become law."

He appealed to the younger set that had moved into sections in the district, like Bella Vista. But he annoyed the ward leader there.

Hohns called former state Sen. Buddy Cianfrani, leader of the 2nd Ward, an ex-convict at community meetings in the district.

Cianfrani was out with U.S. Rep. and Democrat City Committee Chairman Bob Brady on primary day and could not be found for comment on the matter.

Cianfrani supported Josephs.

On primary day, Hohns' troops, decked out in yellow T-shirts, were present at every polling place in the district. A portrait of Hohns graced the entrance to Rittenhouse Square. Perry Milou, the son of Rittenhouse Square restaurateur Neil Stein, did the oil.

Tuesday night, Hohns had a big party for his workers, complete with a DJ, at the Marathon Grill. When he realized it was over, he thanked his girlfriend, mother, and all his workers and supporters.

"We are the next generation," he said. "I'll be back."

Sharif Don't Like It

On Tuesday, Sharif Street was up and about by 5 a.m. He was in a van with three workers going to each polling place in the division.

The 28-year-old Street, son of the mayor, sought to trounce longtime incumbent state Rep. Frank Oliver in the 195th District. Oliver is 80.

Street had engaged a legal team to ensure that everything was on the up and up. On the scene at a moment's notice were Rachel Cohen, Zachary Glaser and Alan Nochumson, and they were ready to file papers for election court if necessary.

Vincent Thompson, a press operative for Oliver, said accusations of dirty tricks were groundless. "He does not need to resort to those tactics."

Oliver's people had been distributing negative literature about Street, who provided City Paper with a copy. The glossy handout showed a black-and-white picture of Street that looked like some kind of mug shot next to a color shot of Oliver hugging a child. "No experience. No commitment. No help," it read.

Street said he had tried to refrain from going negative and to focus on issues.

The Street mobile made a stop on North Oxford Street, where Street's uncle, Milton Street, was hanging out and overseeing things. Mayor John Street and Ed Rendell also made campaign stops in the district.

Oliver did not avail himself to the media on Tuesday.

His campaign said he would be busy in the district all day and could only be seen at either 7 a.m. when he voted or sometime after 8 p.m. at his election party at a Fairmount restaurant.

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February 19, 2004
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