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Nazareth, Pa., United States

Monday, April 21, 2014

Can Parsons Do It Again?

Northampton County Council member Scott Parsons is running for the state senate in a newly formed district that includes most of Monroe and the northern part of Northampton County. He's been called the "David who slayed Goliath" because he beat long-time Republican Council member Ron Angle in a fairly conservative district.  But can he beat Mario Scavello, a Republican State Representative in Monroe County who has had a two-year head start and a massive warchest?

Before he can beat Scavello, he has to come out on top of two other Democrats who have their eyes on the same seat.

One of them is Joe Capozzolo, who was trounced by Joe Emrick in the State Rep. race two years ago and who won the Bangor Mayoral contest by just one vote. Just sworn into office, he's running for something else. He likes to keep everyone in the dark, and even kept his state senate ambitions as secret as possible for reasons that elude me.

He stands for nothing, which his record as an appointed County Council member some years ago should make clear.

The only thing Capozzolo can do is draw votes that would otherwise go to Parsons.

The other candidate is Mark Aurand, an Allentown lawyer who has never run for anything, but whose interest in politics began when he became associated with and eventually spearheaded the Organizing For America movement in the Lehigh Valley.

Aurand is a class act, like Parsons.

He's working hard, raising money and is well-organized. I've already received a flyer and knock on my door. His strength and his weakness is his left wing agenda. That draws many volunteers and energizes what's left of the Obama supporters. The weakness is that it turns off everyone else. A unabashed liberal will sell in Bethlehem or Allentown, but not in the Slate Belt or Monroe County. Mario Scavello will be able to "define" him, as consultants like to say.

The candidate who has the best shot at beating Scavello in the Fall is the moderate, Scott Parsons, but only if he runs hard.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Scavello would trounce Parsons. Parsons did not beat Ron Angle, Ron Angle beat Ron Angle.

Parsons was the lucky one in the right spot at the right time.

Poco Knows said...

One of Matt Cartwright's best counties in the 2012 primary was Monroe. His first endorsement of any type was from the Monroe County Progressive Democrats Club.

I wouldn't be so fast to declare a county that also has gone for the President Obama, Senator Casey, and Kane in 2012 a lock for a Republican. (Marino from the 10th lost in Monroe county in 2012). http://www.co.monroe.pa.us/Elections/RaceDtl.asp?election=37&year=2012&Electiontype=General+Election

He (Scavello) has a well designed district in the former 176. He (Scavello) is a New York transplant like most of the old 176 residents. That whole, "I'm from NY like you" material won't sell so well in the LV. Especially since many have turned over his inability to pass legislation in the house. Most notably the HB 76 he paraded around last year.

He is very much like Capo & Fleck. He stands for getting elected.

Anonymous said...

Good analysis. Scott is by far the best candidate for the general election and the seat in November. A liberal is not going to win in a district like this and Joe Cap is a joke. Corbett is going down in flames, so tying Scavello to Corbett's failed tenure will make this seat competitive.

Anonymous said...

Right on Bernie- Parsons has a chance- if he works hard. Capozzolo is a complete joke- he got trounced by an arrogant, feckless joe emrick. Capozzolo never worked a full 8 hour day in his life. If he does shows up for work, its late in the day, and he may stick around for an hour or two. If it weren't for his father- who, in his 70's, works everyday running the family business, Joe would be on food stamps. The day his father retires, the business closes. He already has his signs out- but you'll be hard pressed to find 1 on a private home- they're littered along public roads. Speaking of signs, here's a guy who, several years ago, was caught by local police stealing a relatives political sign- a pathetic human being.

Anonymous said...

Dude should lose some weight. He looks like he's about to have a heart attack.

Gene said...

"His strength and his weakness is his left wing agenda." That's an understatement. Aurand is left of the left on fracking, which even most Democrats take the middle ground of drill and get the revenue but protect people and the environment. Aurand wants to STOP all drilling, as he says on his website "I support ... a moratorium on additional natural gas wells" http://markaurandforsenate.com/

Anonymous said...

he's wearing that same awful suit.

Anonymous said...

Barney Rubble has an ego that is bigger than his gut. He has no chance in the fall.

sad clown said...

every time I see parsons picture I think his head is shrinking more and more everyday

Anonymous said...

Parsons held a big fund "raiser" last weekend. But it was more of a fund "waster". No one showed up and he lost money. Sorry but this Barney cannot represent us in Harrisburg. I will take one of the other 2.

Ron Angle beat RonAngle. period

maverick said...

One issue beat Ron Angle: Gracedale

Anonymous said...

Did not attend Scott's fundraiser but will drop a c note to him this week to make up for my not showing up due to a scheduling conflict. Joe Cap is a complete fool to even enter this race. I know nothing about the third wheel. Scott can and will win the primary. Scavello has very deep pockets but hopefully by then the State D party will jump in and help Scott win a senate seat.

Bernie O'Hare said...

On the basis of all the hate being hurled at parsons, and some of it is very personal, my conclusion is that he must be the frontrunner.

Anonymous said...

That seems like a self serving conclusion. You publish all the crap knocking the other 2 candidates, but hide all the ugly truths about Parsons. Real Democratic Bernie!

Bernie O'Hare said...

I haven't trounced the other two, and actually think Aurand is a good candidate. Don't think much of Capozzolo, but I have not even started the process of going after him.

Like I said, given the number of cheap shots taken at Parsons, he must be the front runner.

Anonymous said...

You state the obvious Bernie. Scott will not have to break a serious sweat to win the primary. After that..it will be an uphill battle against Scavello's money and arrogance.

Anonymous said...

Little Big man will win the D primary and get crushed in the general.
His record is one of voting to waste taxpayer money. he is an easy mark.

No personal attacks necessary.

Anonymous said...

He reminds me of the explorer sitting next to the witch doctor in the movie Beetlejuice.