Scally ends bid for at-large Council seat

Former Roxborough Review writer Bernard Scally of Roxborough is dropping his bid for an at-large seat on City Council.

In a news release, the independent candidate says that it’s “no longer in the best interest” to continue his campaign.

“I think we knew this day would come,” Scally said. “Since we are realistic, it would be a waste to continue further on a futile mission. I will not waste any more of your time.”

The Penn State graduate said upon announcing his Council bid that he planned to “take the Scally persona public.”  Now, he admits he didn’t take the odds against an independent Council campaign, or the amount of work required, as seriously as he should have.

Scally initially launched his campaign in January as a Republican but switched to independent in March after struggling to build a Republican-only campaign committee.

Traditionally, five Democrats and two Republicans are elected to fill the at-large Council seats. Under the city’s charter, minority parties – usually the Republicans – are guaranteed at least two at-large seats.  Voters actually get to vote for only five candidates.

Of the seven at-large positions on City Council, only the two formerly held by Republicans are open. All five Democratic incumbents are seeking re-election.  Incumbent Republican Jack Kelly retired. Last May, Republican voters rejected Frank Rizzo Jr.’s bid to serve a fifth term, likely because of his involvement in the city’s Deferred Retirement Option Plan or DROP.

The Republican nominees are: Al Taubenberger, head of the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce and the GOP candidate for mayor in 2007; David Oh, the lawyer who was narrowly defeated by Jack Kelly in 2007; State Rep. Dennis O’Brien; former United States Naval Officer Joe McColgan and lawyer/real estate developer Michael W. Untermeyer. 

As for Scally, he hopes to get back to writing and plans to relaunch his blog, Gentlemen’s Relish. 

“I think of this not as a defeat but as a new chapter because the story will go on,” said Scally.

Disclosure: Bernard Scally is a former contributor to NewsWorks.