Philadelphian Malcolm Kenyatta and South Whitehall Tp resident Mark Pinsley are the two candidates seeking their party's nomination in the race for auditor general. Republican incumbent Tim DeFoor is unopposed. I've already accidentally voted for Kenyatta (yes, I'm an idiot) but should have voted for neither candidate. In the general election, I will vote for Republican DeFoor.
Why I dislike Pinsley: He's a blatant opportunist. No sooner was he elected South Whitehall Tp Commissioner than he announced he was running against Pat Browne in a State Senate race. Undaunted after losing, he took on Lehigh County Controller Glenn Eckhart in the next election cycle and knocked him off. As Controller, he proposed both an increase in sales tax in Lehigh County as well as an income tax that would hurt low-income families that work multiple jobs just to put food on the table. He called for UN observers in the 2020 presidential election, He also revealed his true feelings about Allentown and Bethlehem when he objected to them being combined as part of redistricting. "We don't need another ghetto," he said. Well, we don't need Pinsley. While running for re-election as Lehigh County Controller, he told donors he was running for state auditor general. Now he tells donors he wants to run for the US Senate.
The most offensive thing about him was his use of families accused of child abuse as political props. He paraded them before both Northampton County Council and Lehigh County's Board of Comm's with unproven claims of misdiagnoses of child abuse. His claims were completely contrary to the philosophy of the human services departments in both counties, which will only separate children from their family as a last resort, and with due process.
Why I dislike Kenyatta: He's a state representative who is running for re-election while simultaneously running for auditor general. This is becoming quite the trend, ad a bad one. I've already noted that AG candidate Jared Solomon and state treasurer candidate Ryan Bizzarro are doing the same thing.
This practice discourages new blood from seeking office against an entrenched incumbent. Also, if the candidate is successful, there will have to be an expensive special election to fill the vacancy. A ban has been proposed in the state house, but its sponsor is a legislator who just ran for two offices in the same election himself.
Finally, I believe in divided government. In a Democratic administration, a Republican auditor general is more likely to be independent.
I would not vote for either of these two for the exact reasons you cited. Unfortunately, most people can't think for themselves and just press the D or the R button.
ReplyDeleteNice article Bernie!
DeleteI'll abstain. Pinsley disgusts me and I cant get past Malcolm Kenyatta walking around Philadelphia claiming that "he don't like black people" as part of his campaign against Pinsley. I hate that our party has resorted to using racism accusations as part of a campaign strategy. I guess Pinsley is open to that charge as he claims to be a liberal but opts to live in the suburbs of Parkland, a nearly all white school system (except for the Asian Indians).
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this, Bernie. I, too, voted for Kenyetta in the Primary. I was not aware that he is running for two positions simultaneously. I voted for him, in opposition to, Pinsley, because I am aware of his [negative] character.
ReplyDeleteIn November, I, too, will be switch party alliances and vote for Republican DeFoot.
Anyone other than Mark has my vote! I know Mark rather well personally and earlier in his political career he meant very well and honestly wanted to do good, though he had his share of silly ideas and misplaced blame.
ReplyDeleteHe crossed the line when he told me blatantly that he would initiate specific county audits with intended political-career outcomes. He went so far as to ask my input on what subjects would be the most headline grabbing to help raise his star, not to serve the public and do his job.
He became nothing but a self-serving egotist willing to burn down the house just to get in the door.
5;47- Here's to your thin red line. I'm crossing over.
DeleteThis comment is most likely from a member of Malcolm's Easton team or from Malcolm himself.
DeleteCurious? I'm not understanding 5:47. He crossed the line, then he "went further". When, specifically, was he blatant?
DeleteI voted for Mark Pinaley because you do not like him. I voted for every candidate that you criticize.
ReplyDeleteYou win the Intelligent voter of the year award
ReplyDeleteTrump is in the valley Hail to the chief.
ReplyDeleteGod help us and keep us from this tyrant
DeleteTrump rally was amazing. Lots of great Americans. No incidents. Peaceful respectful people attending trump was professional well spoken and focused. A great time despite high winds!
ReplyDeleteGreat giant crowd at Trump rally--smart people know what is good for our country.
ReplyDeleteLike tax cuts for the wealthy, the end of democracy, hateful speech, just for starters. Good for the country, wake up before it’s too late. Trump is the most dangerous man in the country if not the world. He’s the Anti-Christ.
Delete9:48, I know quite a few people turned off by Pinsley. Believe me, iyt is not an Easton thing. I feel that way about him myself.
ReplyDelete