Harrisburg mayoral race heats up as Mayor Linda Thompson launches re-election campaign

As expected, the spotlight in Harrisburg's mayoral race has centered on the heated battle brewing between Mayor Linda Thompson and city Controller Dan Miller.

Thompson officially launched her re-election campaign tonight in her church hall in uptown Harrisburg.

And while Miller has yet to officially announce his candidacy, he said he decided to run for mayor last summer.

Even though Miller and Thompson have become the focus of the May 21 Democratic primary race, others are interested in unseating Thompson, whose first term has been marred by controversy and a state takeover of Harrisburg's finances.

Democratic City Councilman Brad Koplinski said he still is "seriously considering" entering the race, noting that he "will have more to say (about his plans) in a couple weeks."

Eric Papenfuse, who owns the Midtown Scholar Bookstore and unsuccessfully ran for a county commissioner seat in 2011, said he also is debating a run at the mayoral seat.

Papenfuse, a Democrat who also has unsuccessfully run for City Council, said he would make his decision by early next month.

City resident Lewis Butts intends to jump into the election, too.?

Butts, a Democrat, has placed cryptic homemade "Vision 2013" signs throughout the city.?

Butts could not immediately be reached for comment, but he has launched a website announcing his campaign at www.lewisbutts.com.

Nevin Mindlin, the Republican who Thompson defeated in the 2009 election, shedding his GOP skin to run for mayor as an independent candidate this time around.

As an independent candidate, Mindlin can file his election paperwork with the county after the primary.

The first day to circulate petitions to gather the 100 signatures one needs to enter the Democratic and Republican primary is Feb. 19.

Petitions must be submitted to the Dauphin County Board Elections by March 12.

A Republican candidate has yet to announce plans to run in the heavily democratic capital city.

Many thought Harrisburg Authority Chairman J. Marc Kurowski would be the frontrunner for the Republican slot.

But Kurowski recently confirmed in a letter to supporters that he has decided to not enter the race due to personal reasons.

Speculation also mounted over whether Bishop A.E. Sullivan Jr., president of the Interdenominational Ministers Conference of Greater Harrisburg, was going to run.

But Sullivan, who said he appreciated the encouragement he received from the community about running for mayor, confirmed last week that he isn't entering the race.

Instead, he said he would continue focusing his energy on the community and church.

Meanwhile, Miller and Thompson have wasted no time slinging mud at each other.?

The ill-will wasn't born out of the election season.

The two former City Council members have engaged in political combat for years.

Aside from battling each other in court over who has final say over which employees get paid and whether Miller should be forced to sign an agreement allowing the city's Wild West artifact sale to proceed, both have vehemently disagreed over the city's financi? ?al recovery process.

Thompson has staunchly supported the state-sponsored financial recovery plan for Harrisburg, while Miller vocally backed the bankruptcy option, saying Chapter 9 would force stakeholders of the city's monstrous incinerator debt to pony up their fair share toward the city's comeback.

Miller, a certified accountant who owns an accounting firm in the city, said he has the chops to deal with the city's debt crisis.

"I believe we need competent leadership in city government," Miller said of why he chose to run. "I think people can see what (Thompson) has and has not accomplished, and I think people are ripe for a change. I am the right choice, right now."

"We're in a financial crisis. I believe we need someone who is a financial professional," he continued. "No one has the financial credentials that I have."

Gail Lewis, who works for the Harrisburg Parking Authority, agreed the city needs a mayor with Miller's credentials.

"I think (Miller) is one of the most honest men I have ever met in my life. When you talk to him, you might not always like what he has to say, but at least you know he is being honest," Lewis said.

Lisa Doleman attended Thompson's packed campaign launch at Goodwin Memorial Hall.

Doleman said Thompson, whose campaign slogan is "Onward," needs more time to fix the city's debt crisis.

"I think (Thompson) is doing an excellent job," she said. "The problems of the city are not "Thompson's fault. She needs a chance to fix (the fiscal crisis) and I think she is well on her way."

Thompson, the city's first black female mayor, told her supporters following a series of prayers and hymns, "I am on fire for this city and I love being mayor."

The mayor has accused Miller of playing politics with her since she took office.

The controller has eyed her mayoral seat since she filled it in 2010 and has set up stumbling blocks in front of her to help move his political agenda forward, she said.

Harrisburg is on the path to financial recovery, said Thompson, who also is the first mayor to see her powers in dealing with city financial matters stripped by the state. ?

There is no reason to change course now, she said, reminding?her supporters why she should be elected mayor for a second term.

"I am a smart woman. And I am knowledgable," Thompson said. "I am the mayor."

Source: http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2013/01/harrisburg_mayoral_race_heats.html

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