Pennsylvania: Larry Farnese

A political icon went to trial. A new Philadelphia mayor was installed and lauded, only to see the financial crisis crimp his plans. For a few weeks, the Keystone State was the center of the political universe. And of course, there were indictments galore, and a new "-gate" suffix to go along with the taxpayer bonuses allegedly handed out like candy for campaign work.

Democrat Larry Farnese, almost certain to be the powerful 1st District's new state Senator, was hoping to wipe out his significant campaign debt before Election Day next week. The campaign made progress, but not enough to reach that goal.

Farnese, who won a hotly-contested April primary over electrician's union leader John Dougherty, still has more than $334,000 in campaign debt, his campaign manager Renee Gillinger told PolitickerPA.com Monday.

Stepping up his long-shot campaign against Democrat Larry Farnese, Republican Jack Morley will be airing two TV commercials in the coming weeks.

It's an ambitious effort by Morley--boosted by recently improved fundraising--in an overwhelmingly Democratic district where he is a virtual unknown. The spots could air as soon as this week on the local Fox station in Philadelphia.

PHILADELPHIA-With his election virtually assured but his campaign still deeply in debt after a fiercely competitive primary, Democratic state Senate candidate Larry Farnese is preparing an aggressive fundraising push over the next two months.

Farnese has 11 fundraisers scheduled between now and late October, his campaign manager told PolitickerPA.com, and four more could still be arranged before Election Day. Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter is scheduled to attend a fundraiser Oct. 23, and City Councilmen Jim Kenney and Frank DiCicco will attend an event Sept. 19.