KYW Newsradio Team Coverage
Pennsylvania state senator Vince Fumo is ready to end his three-decade career as a powerful state senator from Philadelphia.
KYW's Tony Hanson reports that Fumo made it official on Wednesday: he will not run for re-election, thus ending a 30-year state senate career under a cloud of alleged corruption that includes charges of fraud, obstruction of justice, and income tax evasion:
"Today I am announcing my retirement. I will not seek another term. At Governor Rendell's insistence, I will serve out my current term and help him to the best of my ability on the important issues we both care about: making life better, more affordable, and safer for the families of our commonwealth."
Fumo, struggling with his emotions and clearly weakened by his recent heart attack and other health problems, says the federal corruption indictment and pending trial in September -- not his health problems (see related story) -- have prompted this decision:
"The stress of being under indictment has taken a very real emotional toll, a toll that does not allow me the ability to run the kind of campaign I would have liked to have run and would have run as in the past."
Fumo, who maintains his innocence, says he did his best to honor his parents, who are both deceased, and to fight for what he believes in. He says he retires reluctantly because he feels he has much more to offer, and his urge to help people is still strong.
Fumo's girlfriend, his son, and Gov. Ed Rendell were by his side for the announcement at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
KYW's Mark Abrams reports that Fumo, 64, was facing a primary battle next month against three other opponents including powerful union leader John Dougherty.
Speaking to KYW Newsradio as he left the hospital on Sunday, Fumo touched on the primary:
"Signs don't win elections, votes do. I'm always ready for a fight."
The senator's federal trial on corruption charges is scheduled to start this fall.
See previous stories
KYW's David Madden reports that Fumo’s decision not to seek re-election leaves three people seeking the Democratic nomination to succeed him.
So who benefits most from Fumo’s decision? Most observers would probably say that it is Philadelphia electricians' union head John Dougherty, who says Fumo's announcement is invigorating his own effort:
"My phone’s been ringing off the hook with people who have been Fumo supporters who now have a clear opportunity to be part of our real change, real results campaign."
Attorney Larry Farnese believes Fumo’s decision is the right one:
"The time and attention that is needed to serve the people in this district from the incumbent is no longer possible in light of everything else."
Farnese believes, along with Dougherty, that Fumo should serve out his term. Community activist Anne Dicker, also running for Fumo's 1st District state senate seat, repeated her call for Fumo’s immediate resignation.
KYW's Mike Dunn reports that Philadelphia city councilman Jim Kenney, a longtime Fumo ally, said before Wednesday's announcement that it was the heart attack that convinced Fumo to avoid the primary battle.
Kenney (in file photo at right) is relieved that Fumo is quitting the race:
"If you'd look at the circumstances surrounding his current situation, I think it's the best thing for him. I'm happy for him. I'm not happy he's leaving government, but I'm happy he's going to take care of himself."
And Kenney says the city will miss Fumo's effectiveness in the state senate:
"Thirty years of service to the city, I think he's done a very admirable job. We're going to miss him. Because nobody's going to be bringing home the resources that he brought home."
Adds Kenney:
"I'm just happy that this additional burden of running in a nasty, ugly campaign is gone."
E-Mail Story
Print Story
