Introducing Jonathan A. Saidel
Jonathan Saidel, the highest vote getter in the history of Philadelphia, is seeking the Democratic nomination for Lt. Governor in the 2010 primary.
Saidel served as Philadelphia's City Controller for sixteen years. He is credited with redefining the role of the City Controller, assuming a pro-active, problem-solving activism well beyond the scope of the city charter.
As Controller, he won local and national plaudits for reforming and professionalizing the Controller’s office, his dedication to fiscal discipline and innovative ideas to grow Philadelphia. His 1999 book “Philadelphia: A New Urban Direction” continues to be used as a textbook in college level urban studies courses.
A lifelong resident of the working families’ neighborhoods of Northeast Philadelphia, Saidel has been called “a taxpayer’s best friend” for his outspoken advocacy of reducing Philadelphia’s crushing tax burden in order to spur economic development in every neighborhood and stop the exodus of people and jobs from the city. His work with then-Mayor Rendell in the early 1990s helped return Philadelphia from the brink of bankruptcy and onto sure footing. His groundbreaking audits and proposed government reforms have saved the taxpayers over $500 million since 1990.
Among Saidel’s lauded audits and performance reviews are studies of minority and small business lending programs, health care provision through the City’s health clinics, and a visionary plan to rehabilitate Philadelphia’s City Hall, an architectural landmark that has fallen into disrepair.
A veteran of the United States Army, Saidel’s deeply rooted sense of service keeps him actively involved with numerous causes and organizations including the Institute for Strategic Threat Analysis and Response, Back on My Feet, CORA, Greater Philadelphia Film Board, St. Hubert's Catholic High School For Girls, and the Labor Advisory Board of America.
Saidel is a graduate of Temple University and the Delaware Law School of Widener College. He is both an attorney and certified public accountant. In addition to practicing law, he is a Lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania's Fels Center of Government and teaches Government Finance as an Adjunct Professor in the MBA Program at Drexel University.
Recently blessed with granddaughter Naomi, Jonathan is the proud father of four children, Hope, Nick, and twins Joshua and Jacqueline, all raised by him in the same Northeast Philadelphia row house neighborhood where his parents raised him.
Saidel is the only candidate for Lieutenant Governor that will convincingly win the primary AND add value to the gubernatorial ticket in the general election. Nearly 60% of the Democratic primary votes come from the Philadelphia media market. Saidel’s16 years in elected office, and his record as one of the highest vote-getters in Philadelphia history have him uniquely positioned to carry this bloc overwhelmingly.
Outside of the Philadelphia market, Saidel’s record as a no-nonsense problem-solver appeals to a wide demographic of primary voter. As Pennsylvania’s fiscal crisis intensifies, Pennsylvania’s are looking for a candidate with a proven record managing scare tax dollars. On this critical issue, Saidel’s experience is without rival.
With the gubernatorial primary dominating earned and paid media, Saidel’s reputation and relationship with institutional stakeholders will dominate this down-ballot contest. Saidel has already received the enthusiastic endorsement of several labor unions – the Firefighters, School Teachers and Teamsters – with many more expected. City and County Controller’s across the Commonwealth are hailing Saidel’s record in that post and signing up to support our campaign.
A ferocious campaigner, Saidel has already been to each of Pennsylvania’s major media markets and lined up local support in every corner of the state. In 2002, there was a closely contested primary for Lieutenant Governor in which the prevailing candidate raised less than $400,000. With nearly $750,000 raised to-date, Saidel will have the financial resources necessary to introduce himself ‘early and often’ to voters outside of his political base.
