State Rep. Tony Payton on Passing the Torch, Friday Afternoon
Hear the viewpoint of State's youngest Representative
http://Gtownradio.com


GERMANTOWN - State Representative Tony Payton (D-179) is the commonwealth's youngest State Representative. Some community leaders also believe he is one of the hardest working legislators. The battle to be where he is was a hard-fought battle. The district had a long history of lack of representation, and an elected representative who rareley showed up for work. One Hunting Park community leader called Payton "Dynamic and energetic". He has the ear, and attention of Mayor Michael Nutter. Yet, the young, eager Payton had to battle the 'Democratic machine' that ran a barely unknown candidate against him--a Philadelphia Parking Authority 'patronage' employee- as a 'write-in' candidate at that. Payton prevailed-but, was challenged in court--by the very party he represents. One well known city councilman said "Tony has a lot of fence mending to do. He owes a lot to a lot of people."

 

Payton has just won his second victory in as many years. He was facing challenger Guy Lewis, a candidate again endorsed by the city's Democratic party. Payton handily defeated Lewis, a Hunting Park resident, Lewis works in healthcare. That was seen as his 'single issue' campaign by many of Payton's supporters. Payton emerged, again as the party's representative-elect, but it was not an easy battle. Some say his youth--and inexperience (a former housing counselor in the city's Frankford neighborhood) prevent his being an effective legislator.

 

The 179th District which Payton represents is large, and largely diverse. Covering parts of North Philadelphia, Frankford/Lower Northeast and areas like Hunting Park, Feltonville and parts of Logan. An economically and racially diverse district. Previously, the district was represented by Bill Rieger, a long-time Democratic Party loyalist. Several attempts to unseat him were unsuccessful. It was only his resignation and decision to not seek re-election that opened the door for Payton. Rieger was rumored to live outside the district and a story on FOX-Undercover seemed to prove it. Yet he was always re-elected--and endorsed by the party.

A 2005 "Young Philly Politics" (Blog) article pointed to a Philadelphia Inquirer report that Rieger, alegedly never went to the State's Capitol, but, instead a wadded up paper ball recorded him as being present. A long time Rieger aide was charged with corruption as well during 2005, but, was later cleared of any wrongdoing.

Payton represents the first time in a long time that all the constituents of the district have a voice in Harrisburg. As a change-agent, Payton has his work cut out for him and an uphill battle ahead. Rieger's resignation may have opened a door--or, a flood gate; depending on your point of view.

 

Now, you can hear his point of view and his vision for the people he represents. Payton will be interviewed on Gtown Radio www.gtownradio.com on Friday, July 11th at 4 PM by Malcolm Cain, Jr. host of the program "Passing the Torch" While Payton is the state's youngest elected representative, Cain, at just 16 years old is Gtown's youngest host--if not the youngest talk-radio show host in the city.

Only on Gtown Radio at http://Gtownradio.com
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Call in line: 215-609-4301 IM: (AOL, Yahoo! & MSN) Gtownradio
You may email your questions to passingthetorch@...

 

Representative Payton's Site: http://www.pahouse.net/Payton

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