Farnese and Gilinger Team Up to Oust Josephs

Local veteran political reporter Mary Patel recently scooped that veteran queer political leader Renee Gilinger has agreed to become the campaign manager for Larry Farnese in his second attempt to oust Rep. Babette Josephs (D-182nd) in Philadelphia City Paper (7/28/07).

According to Patel, Gilinger who is currently assisting Philadelphia Councilmen Frank DiCicco (D-1st) will soon also be turning her attentions to Farnese's campaign. Patel reported that Gilinger's part-time position with the Farnese campaign will become full time after November.

Farnese last ran unsuccessfully against Josephs last year in the Democratic primary, losing by about 200 votes.

In 2006, Farnese exposed the fact that Josephs was politically vulnerable with only a 200 vote margin for the career office holder.

Support for Josephs has been waning in the queer community with many quietly questioning, what they perceive as her failed or ineffectual leadership in Harrisburg.  

With the addition of Gilinger to the Farnese team, the political hopeful is lining up the right formula this second time around to successfully unseat Josephs.

Political observers agree that the significance of Gilinger's move to the Farnese camp cannot be underestimated. Predictions are that this hire to the Farnese campaign team will surely stir-up the city's queer political scene and, possibly, even in Harrisburg.

Gilinger, with her long and impressive list of credentials and accomplishments, previously served as State Director of Liberty PA and Co-chair of Liberty City Lesbian and Gay Democratic Club.