Politically speaking, Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr. has always faced friendly juries: Voters here have routinely returned him to office, typically without opposition, since 1999. And while his statewide run for attorney general means a change of venue, both he and fellow Allegheny County Democrat David Fawcett may have a hometown advantage in the April primary.
Being from Allegheny County “is a big help,” said Franklin & Marshall College pollster G. Terry Madonna. “The southwest is well known for the friend-and-neighbors effect,” in which voters support candidates from nearby counties.
Zappala campaign manager Marty Marks agreed. “All you have to do is look at November” — when Allegheny County Democrats won two of three state Supreme Court seats — “to see how Western Pennsylvania candidates perform,” he said.
“This race is about who brings integrity to the Attorney General’s office,” he added. “Steve has the record and knowledge to do that.”
Mr. Zappala will be competing for hometown sentiment with Mr. Fawcett, and Democratic partisans will find something to like about both men. Mr. Zappala’s office prosecuted former Republican state Sen. Jane Orie and her sister, former Supreme Court Justice Joan Orie Melvin. Mr. Fawcett, meanwhile, waged an epic courtroom fight against Donald Blankenship, a West Virginia mine operator reviled by organized labor.
“Our experiences have been very different,” said Mr. Fawcett, an attorney with Reed Smith. “Voters will have a real choice.”
The contenders are eyeing voters statewide. Mr. Zappala’s announcement came just before this weekend’s Pennsylvania Society gathering, a New York City event attended by many politicos. It was followed by an equally well-timed leak of internal polling compiled for an almost certain rival, Montgomery County Commissioner Josh Shapiro.
The poll, first reported by the Philadelphia Inquirer, showed Mr. Shapiro and Mr. Zappala in a statistical tie among likely Democratic voters, trailed by Mr. Fawcett, Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli and longtime Delaware County prosecutor Jack Stollsteimer. It said half of voters were undecided, and that they “are not looking solely for a prosecutor.” Neither Mr. Shapiro nor Mr. Fawcett have been criminal prosecutors.
It’s unclear whether the current attorney general, embattled Democrat Kathleen Kane, plans to run again.
Mr. Madonna said he sets little store by internal polls. He called Mr. Shapiro “a star within the party” but said that while Mr. Zappala was little known in the east, he was “a prominent DA” whose father, a retired Supreme Court justice, “has a reputation throughout the state.”
This fall, in fact, the elder Zappala appeared in a TV spot endorsing Supreme Court Justice-elect Kevin Dougherty, whose brother is a prominent Philadelphia union official. Insiders speculate the family ties may pay dividends. Mr. Marks said “there was no discussion” about the younger Zappala’s prospects during the Supreme Court race but said the campaign would draw support from unions and politicians statewide.
Mr. Zappala already has allies closer to home — on Thursday, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald said he was a supporter, for example — but there are exceptions.
Former county Coroner Cyril Wecht, a longtime foe, has long accused Mr. Zappala of a political vendetta that led to federal charges against him a decade ago. Those charges were dropped after a mistrial, but Mr. Wecht called the process “an experience I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. Well … I actually would.” While Mr. Wecht hasn’t endorsed a candidate yet, he said, “I do anticipate having things to say.”
Chris Potter: cpotter@post-gazette.com or 412-263-2533.
First Published: December 11, 2015, 5:00 a.m.
