NE Phila.'s Borski wins again

Robert Borski borrowed his campaign slogan from an endorsement given to him by Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell -- "Bob Borski works hard; he works smart, and he gets things done for Philadelphia." The voters in Pennsylvania's 3rd Congressional District in Northeast Philadelphia seemed to agree with the mayor. Yesterday, they elected Democratic incumbent Borski, 50, for his ninth consecutive term in Washington. Borski won with 60 percent of the vote, as opposed to 40 percent earned by challenger Charles Dougherty, 61, with 98 percent of precincts reporting. "He's honest, and he wants to help the members of the community, and he does it the best he can," said Jimmy Kessler, a local Democratic Committee member, who was one of about 150 people celebrating at the Rose Briar Inn in Northeast Philadelphia. "Who else is there?" said Jim Molloy, who voted for Borski. Borski relied on support from the large elderly population in the area. He even went as far as to provide transportation to the polls for the senior citizens, said Karen Peck, Borski's press secretary. Medicare, Social Security and a patient's bill of rights are all concerns for the senior citizens, and Borski has made these issues a priority. Other issues on which Borski focused during his campaign were campaign-finance reform and the improvement of roads, bridges and transit systems. The Republican challenger, Dougherty, is the same man Borski unseated in 1982. Dougherty admitted that the turnout was greater than he had expected and added that "there is obviously a residual Democratic vote that surpasses any interest in local issues that people express a concern about." Family, friends and supporters greeted Borski with huge cheers when he arrived at his party. Borski said he was pleased with the support. "Our message of looking out for senior citizens and working people came through loud and clear," he said. His seven-year-old son, Robert Borski III, put the sentiment best. "I'm going to keep voting for him as long as he's going to be a congressman," he said. Daily Pennsylvanian staff writer Laura McClure contributed to this article.