On January 19th, Marilyn Levin, Chair of the Dauphin County Democratic Committee (DCDC) publicly endorsed Linda Thompson as Democratic candidate for the 2013 City of Harrisburg's Mayoral Race. Only a few days earlier on January 15th, Thompson had launched her campaign for a second term by saying "I am the Mayor and there is no need to change the ship in the middle of the ocean."

In her endorsement letter, Levin echoed this same message. She writes, "As a result of the Mayor's leadership, the city is in a position to see daylight at the end of the tunnel, and there is no point in changing administrations now."

Levin's letter was emailed from the DCDC Chair's "administrator" email address to "Brother and Sister Democrats," and seems to have included the DCDC mailing list. The letter on DCDC letterhead, emblazoned with the DCDC logo and slogan across the top opens by announcing it is being sent in remembrance of Martin Luther, Jr. Day and asks recipients to contemplate the challenges of not only Martin Luther King, Jr., but also Moses and Rosa Parks.

Levin then turns the focus of her message to Linda Thompson. She writes, "I believe that if Dr. King were alive today he would take great pride in the first African American Mayor of Harrisburg, Linda D. Thompson." It's at that point, the letter speaks of Thompson's skill and courage in resisting the call for bankruptcy, which is presumedly a reference to one of Thompson's primary opponents in the race, City Controller Dan Miller, who has publicly called for bankruptcy as the viable means to address and ultimately solve the City of Harrisburg's over $330 million financial crisis.

While Levin admits the Mayor had "growing pains" in her first few months in office, she proclaims Thompson remarkably improved and has smoothly led the City through the Act 47 process to this point in time. "The Mayor is now on course to eliminate the enormous debt burden created by a series of unwise financial transactions accumulated by so-called professionals over the past twenty years," Levin contends. She also contends that Thompson's handicaps are a result of the City's financial situation and implies that once fiscal recovery is accomplished, then Thompson will be able to address the quality of life issues the City faces.

To close her letter, Levin tells readers, "If we want to keep Dr. King's legacy alive, the voters need to let Mayor Linda Thompson finish her work."

Levin then states the letter and her endorsement of Linda Thompson is her personal position and not the position of the DCDC. She's sure to clarify the fact that the Dauphin County Democratic Committee has not yet voted on who to endorse or even if they will endorse a candidate for the primary election.

It's signed Marilyn Levin, Chairman, Dauphin County Democratic Committee.

The actual fact is that DCDC isn't scheduled to discuss or vote on whether to endorse or not to endorse until March 9th.

The issue of endorsements has been a controversy in DCDC more than once in the past couple of years and has resulted in heated debates and even formal challenges amongst Committee members. Most recently this occurred during the 2012 primary election for Senator of the 15th district. With two contenders---Rob Teplitz and Alvin Q. Taylor---DCDC had voted not to endorse a candidate for that office. However, after that decision was made, Levin later attempted to change it and called for the endorsement of Teplitz, which ultimately lead to a DCDC hearing on the matter.

This latest bold move of Chairman Levin's endorsement of Linda Thompson for Mayor, contributes to tensions that have previously been apparent in the DCDC. These tensions are surely to increase with this past week's campaign kickoff of Eric Papenfuse for Mayor. During Papenfuse's previous run for Dauphin County Commissioner, debate between Levin and Papenfuse resulted in upset and disorder at a DCDC meeting. Watch the archive videos below for footage of the controversy.

Marilyn Levin Endorsement Letter

Marilyn Levin (archive video from February 2011): "I will not either be called with my reputation into question."

Marilyn Levin (archive video from February 2011): Archive video: Miscount

Marilyn Levin (archive video from February 2011): Archive video: "I changed that for this meeting."

by Tara Leo Auchey

photo Natalie Cake