A power struggle in the Latino strongholds of North Philly
*Pay attention to what’s happening in North Philly. Latinos are rebelling against the political status quo which does little for their interests. But this story isn’t without its share of political scandal …VL
By Ryan Briggs, Philadelphia City Paper
Inside the defunct New Palladium nightclub, on Allegheny Avenue in Kensington, a political insurgency is brewing. A set of card tables on the old dance floor is the unlikely war room for the upstart Latino Empowerment Alliance of Delaware Valley (LEAD), an independent slate of Democratic candidates aiming to upset the political establishment that controls some of the city’s poorest wards.
“The party has decided to support people that don’t have the best interests of the Latino community,” said Tomas Sánchez, the founder of the Philadelphia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, who is challenging incumbent Christine Tartaglione for the 2nd State Senate seat. “We’re supporting a team of candidates who are going to empower our constituency.”
The LEAD slate has been heavily backed by Tomas’ wife, Councilwoman María Quiñones-Sánchez, and is inspired, in part, by her own political career.
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[Photo courtesy of Philadelphia City Paper]