January 22-28, 2004

political notebook

Castor Roiled

Endorsements are not the be-all and end-all for candidates anymore, but this weekend’s endorsement meetings in Harrisburg are generating big battles among Democrats and Republicans.

State committee members will bless candidates for U.S. Senate, attorney general, auditor general, and treasurer.

For the Republicans, the endorsement for attorney general will be fiery. Montgomery County District Attorney Bruce Castor and former Western Pennsylvania U.S. Attorney (and former interim state Attorney General) Tom Corbett are both seeking state committee backers, but it looks like most county caucuses are standing behind Corbett.

According to Castor’s campaign spokesperson, Steve O’Toole, Castor feels that GOP National Committeeman and GOP State Committeeman Bob Asher has influenced caucus members to vote against Castor. Asher, the candy magnate, is a powerful force because of his fundraising abilities on behalf of Republican candidates.

Once upon a time, Castor and Asher were friends.

Castor said that Asher approached him December 2000 to run for attorney general and vigorously pursued him in the spring of 2001. Castor has twice been elected Montgomery County district attorney and prosecuted such high-profile cases as the murder convictions of Craig Rabinowitz, Caleb Fairley and Guy Sileo. His father, Bruce L. Castor, is a major partner at Ballard Spahr.

Castor discovered in November of that year that Asher was no longer supporting him.

Why the falling out?

Castor believes Asher pulled his support because he, as the district attorney, determined that Asher was prohibited from serving as a Montgomery County representative on the SEPTA board of directors because of Asher’s 1986 federal bribery-related felony conviction.

Former State Treasurer Budd Dwyer, a co-defendant in the same case, shot himself in the head in front of reporters at a televised press conference. Asher served eight months in the big house.

“I read in the Daily News that Asher was being considered for the SEPTA board,” said Castor. “According to the state constitution, anyone accused of bribery or perjury or any other infamous crime cannot serve on a county board. I must uphold the law and did not want the county commissioners to be embarrassed.” The commissioners later appointed someone else.

Castor also said that Asher, who was supporting Barbara Hafer for governor, wanted Castor to remain neutral but Castor supported Mike Fisher, an old friend of his.

Now, Castor says that he is concerned because Asher could exert control over the next attorney general.

In a press release Castor said, “Bob Asher knows that all future legislation to expand gambling into Philadelphia and Delaware counties will be subject to constitutional review by the next attorney general. Bob Asher likewise knows that the next attorney general will assess the process by which all gaming licenses will be awarded.

In an interview with the Inquirer last week, Asher disavowed he was a lobbyist for PTP Racing, the racing company he claims he is no longer involved in. He also said in that same interview that he supports legalized gambling provided it is used for property tax relief for seniors and that he cannot have any financial gain from gambling companies because of his prior conviction. When reached for comment, Asher said he had no comment.

However, Castor confirmed that former Fairmount Park Commission President Eugene “Fitz” Dixon Jr. , now serving as chairperson of the Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission, contributed $50,000 to his campaign.

“Fitz Dixon is not a convicted felon,” said Castor. “A felon, like Asher, should not be involved with gambling and all of the law enforcement issues that can go with it.”

He also confirmed that Bob Feldman, a major fundraiser for Bob Casey Jr. , Barbara Hafer and New Jersey Gov. Jim McGreevey contributed $5,000 to his campaign.

Feldman has been summoned to testify at a grand jury in connection with the FBI probe of City Hall. “I have sent money back recently from someone who was convicted,” said Castor. “I will send the money back to Feldman if Corbett gives back all the money Asher gave him.”

“It is [Castor’s] prerogative to do what he wants with his contributions,” said Brian Nutt, Corbett’s campaign manager.

Corbett served as the attorney general in 1995 for an interim term after former Attorney General Ernie Preate went to prison for illegal campaign contributions.

It is likely that Corbett will receive the endorsement of the Republican State Committee this weekend. He is supported by the state’s central, northwest and southwest caucuses as well as by numerous Republican elected officials.

Nutt said that they are pleased with all the support. “It has played into our hands. Slowly and methodically, Tom has crossed the state meeting with everyone in the commonwealth.”

How important are state committee endorsements?

Ed Rendell did not seek the nomination of the Democrat State Committee in 2002 and Bob Casey Jr. won the endorsement, but Rendell was elected as governor anyway.

“Unlike the Democrats, the Republican endorsement is very important,” said Nutt. “It is the best political organization in the state”

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