Malina Williams, no relation to Anthony, has filed to run against the incumbent Donatucci in the primary. Robert Donatucci comes from a well-established political family—his brother is the longtime Register of Wills Ron Donatucci, who is also a ward leader in Williams' senatorial district.

Anthony Williams' office said that although Malina Williams is not related to the senator, her backer, Ali Robinson, is Anthony's uncle.

The Donatucci brothers and Anthony Williams met recently and the senator stressed his support for the incumbent.

Look for union foot soldiers stationed throughout the 175th House District—which stretches northeast from Old City—come Primary Day, May 16.

Four candidates are vying for the seat that will be vacated by retiring state Rep. Marie Lederer. The two front-runners: Lederer's former chief of staff, Michael O'Brien, and businesswoman Terry Graboyes.

O'Brien has the support of Local 98 Electricians Union businessman John Dougherty, while Graboyes has backing of the painters, glaziers, tapers and paperhangers.

Graboyes is making a serious bid and apparently has the scratch to back it up—she is already airing commercials during prime time, and it's only March.

"It will be money versus soldiers," observed one Local 98 political operative.

The other two candidates are 2nd Ward committeeman Peter Fiorentino and grassroots activist Anne Dicker.

In an interesting twist, state Sen. Vincent Fumo is supporting Graboyes and not O'Brien for the seat, despite having worked with O'Brien and Lederer on closing down nuisance bars in the district.

"Terry came to Vince for support," said Fumo spokesperson Gary Tuma. "She's a committeeperson in the district and has worked hard."

Tuma added it was too soon to tell how Fumo intends to aid Graboyes on Election Day.

Openly gay New York Assemblyman Danny O'Donnell will be the featured guest at Liberty City Lesbian and Gay Democratic Club's spring fundraiser on March 31 at the Center City residence of Stephen Glassman, chair of the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission.

O'Donnell was elected to the 69th Assembly District in Manhattan in 1993 but is also known as the brother of openly lesbian comedienne/actress/talk show host/magazine mogul Rosie O'Donnell.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Liberty City's "Get Out the Vote" program. In other fundraising efforts, Liberty City announced the latest addition to their anti-Santorum paraphernalia for sale: T-shirts.

The shirts, for sale at Giovanni's Room, sport a picture of U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum with a big red slash across his face on the front, with www.StopSantorumNow.org across the back.

National Stonewall Executive Director Eric Stern will step down on April 1 for health reasons.

Stern wrote in a personal message that, as a cancer survivor, he was concerned about the toll of years of campaign-related business on his health. Before he joined Stonewall, Stern was the liaison to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender community for the Democratic National Committee.

Since Stern left DNC in February 2005 his job has not been filled. Last month, DNC Chairman Howard Dean announced that the position will be eliminated altogether and its mission incorporated into the American Majority Partnership, a program designed to combine efforts to reach all minorities. The announcement drew mixed reactions within the LGBT community—mostly negative—with many calling Dean a disappointment to the party.

Meanwhile, Stonewall is preparing for a big summer convention in Pittsburgh where the agenda is to oust Santorum.