Rocks succumbs to incumbent

As reporters waited anxiously in the back of Firefighters' Hall, where volunteers had earlier served meatball sandwiches to supporters, former State Senator Joe Rocks remained inside the kitchen preparing his concession speech to Mayor Ed Rendell. Midway through the 11:00 news, Rocks emerged smiling and buffeted by family members as he pumped the hands of several campaign workers. Rocks received only 20.7 percent of the vote, overswept by the Democratic incumbent, who garnered 76.6 percent with 91.3 percent of the precincts reporting. After conceding his support and cooperation to Rendell, Rocks delivered an upbeat speech that touched on his campaign's focus on neighborhoods and the working class. "The next four years will be different," he said. "I assure you, for neighborhood concerns in this city and for individuals in this city, things will change." Rocks also cited the importance of the city's civil servants and offered to help Rendell "repair the rift" between the city and its police and firefighters. "The people that serve this city every day are part of the lifeblood of the city," Rocks said. "These forces cannot continue to be demoralized the way they are." After thanking campaign workers and his family, Rocks stepped down off the podium and answered reporters' questions. Rocks said he accomplished what he thought he could in the mayor's race. "I knew the odds here and it was mission impossible," he said. Despite the heavy odds against a Republican victory, several Rocks supporters cried and appeared stunne around the hall. "It's hard to believe it tud as election results rolled in on several televisionsrned out this way," said Rocks supporter Mary Humphries after one report. Other supporters took the defeat much harder. "I've never felt like getting drunk in my life before as much as I do now," said Joan Battistelli, a campaign volunteer as she held a cup of beer in one hand. "It's like a member of the family passed away." Many of those in attendance, including a large number of firefighters, said they supported Rocks because of Rendell's treatment of the police and fire unions. "He's for the working man, not for the Center City people," one firefighter, who wished to remain anonymous, said of Rocks. And while some Rocks supporters were displeased with Rendell's treatment of the city's employees, they also recognized some of his successes during his first term. "He did straighten the city's finances out," said James Merk, a retired firefighter who was critical of several Rendell policies. "But he did it on the back of the city's workers." Before Rocks arrived at the hall, Dale Wilcox, his press secretary, pounded away at Rendell for failing to address some important issues. "There's a concern about public safety," he said. "There's a concern about unaffordable housing and there's a great concern about public school education." Rocks said running for mayor was his "final public passion" and that while he has no plans to run for another public office, he wants to play an "active role" in local Republican politics.