Green Party Candidate Giordano Goes For Upset in State House Race

Hugh Giordano talks in "when's," not "if's." The Green Party candidate for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in the 194th district discusses his candidacy as if it's the beginning of a statehouse career.

"When I get elected, I'm excited to go to Harrisburg and seek out progressives—Democrats, Republicans, whatever. We need to build alliances and actually get things done," the Roxborough resident said from Crossroads Coffee House on Ridge Avenue.

Running against Democrat Pam DeLissio and Republican Timothy Downey—all from Roxborough—Giordano is vying to secure retiring Democrat Rep. Kathy Manderino's seat—one she has held since 1993. The district covers northwest Philadelphia, in addition to parts of Lower Merion Township in Montgomery County.

A union organizer, Giordano has actively campaigned throughout the summer. Many shop and residential windows throughout Roxborough and Manayunk display political signs endorsing the third-party candidate. Giordano said he hopes to capture the antiestablishment wave that has allowed other individuals nationwide to upset party candidates.

"Voters are not as stupid as people think. I have faith that they are tired of big party propaganda and machine candidates. They're tired of people being groomed," he said.

His opponent, DeLissio, was endorsed by both Manderino and Mayor Michael Nutter. Downey ran unopposed in the primary.

"[DeLissio] may not be an incumbent, but she's endorsed by the same guy who's closing fire stations, recreation centers—who's taking away services from the poor," she said.

Although she said she's a long-time acquaintance of Nutter's and welcomed his endorsement, DeLissio said she's not afraid to speak her mind.

"I'm an extremely independent-minded individual. I'm not influenced by what the majority does, and it extends to this job, as well," she said.

The mayor's policies, she said, are a separate realm from a state legislator's responsibilities. In addition, she said, her website links to financial disclosure forms so residents can follow who funds her (which are mostly individuals, minus $1,000 donations from the Pennsylvania Realtors Political Action Committee and Emily's List).

If—and when—elected, Giordano lists his top three issues as reforming public education, job creation and government transparency.

A graduate of William Levering Elementary and Saul High School, Giordano experienced firsthand the Philadelphia school system. He pointed to one part of the district to help the other.

"Look at the Lower Merion district and you can see how far away Philadelphia is," he said. He said more funding per pupil—Lower Merion's rate is nearly double Philadelphia's—is a good start to eliminate what he calls "the working poor," those who scrap by paycheck-to-paycheck.

"Property taxes fund schools. I want to make it legal for tax brackets to exist. The way it is now doesn't make sense," he said.

He wants the School Reform Commission—currently operated by the state—to yield to local control. "There needs to be more parent-teacher influence, not politician influence. It's unethical to pay administrators high salaries when we have an epidemic of dropouts."

A better, more inclusive public education system—for elementary, secondary and higher education—he said, is needed for another main issues: creating more jobs. 

Giordano proposes restrictions on big businesses to help little businesses out.

"If Wal-Mart comes in and says it will create 500 jobs, that sounds great. But if you're not offering health care, pensions—you're creating poverty in town," he said, advocating for tax breaks for small businesses instead.

"Look at Roxborough, Manayunk, Lower Merion, there are local pizza places, coffee shops. These people live here their whole lives, they need the help," he said.

Stamping out corruption is his third campaign tenet. As a state representative, Giordano said he would push the legislature for updated, transparent websites. Although disclosure measures are important, he said it ultimately depends on who's penning the laws.

"We need morally, ethically strong people—people who don't write laws to create loopholes," he said.

If a lawmaker told him a lobbyist or interest group was forcing his hand on an issue, Giordano said he'd go to the public and expose the politician.

"I'm not running for me, for them. I'm running for every citizen in this state... I will not be corrupted," he said.

Giordano has avidly attended civic meetings in recent weeks. Those interested in his campaign may visit his website or attend his Sept. 19 fundraiser.