A crystal-ball look at Philly's rising political stars

THEY'RE EARNEST and bright-eyed, relish talking public policy, savor knocking on doors and dream of making the world a better place.

Meet the next generation of Philly politicians. Enjoy 'em while they last.

Now is a good time to be a smart young gun working your way up in the political realm. There's a new mayor in town, the governor is on his way out the door and shake-ups are looming in the state Legislature and on City Council.

"I think it's definitely a time of change, the players in four years are going to look a lot different than the players that have been around for the last 30 or 40," said Zack Stalberg, CEO of the Committee of Seventy.

Political analyst Larry Ceisler agreed, saying, "I think it's a great time of opportunity for people who want to be involved."

Many of the rising local stars - with ambitions to win an office or to be power brokers behind the scenes - are working hard in traditional channels.

Examples include Derek Green, 37, a counsel to City Councilwoman Marian Tasco, who has run for City Council and is widely expected to try again. Or Liz McElroy, 35, the right hand to powerful Pat Eiding, president of the Philadelphia AFL-CIO. Or Daniel F. McElhatton, 33, chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Allyson Schwartz.

Stalberg said these young politicos will do well because they are well-versed in the system.

"They may not have terrific name recognition today, but they have credibility and connections within the political system and it won't take much for them to really break through," Stalberg said.

Lots of the up-and-comers are already friendly with each other through Young Philadelphia Democrats - yes, they are mostly Democratic - or the happy-hour club Society of Progressive Drinkers. And despite supporting different mayoral candidates, or working for dueling bosses, they often find ways to collaborate.

"Coalition-building seems like the default way to do things nowadays rather than the exception to the rule," said Ted Mucellin, 26, assistant director of government relations for Nutter.

One example of a potentially powerful coalition is building up in the Northeast.

Already in office is Tony Payton, 27, a Democrat who is expected to be elected to a second term in the state House of Representatives in the 179th District, which covers Frankford, Northwood, Oxford Circle, Olney, Feltonville and Hunting Park.

Payton's chief of staff is a guy called Dan Lodise, 33, who has been friends since childhood with Kevin Boyle, 28, an aide to Councilman Bill Greenlee, and Brendan Boyle, 31, who is running for state representative.

Brendan Boyle is running as a Democrat in the 170th District, which covers Somerton, Bustleton, Parkwood, Normandy, Burholme and Fox Chase. It's his third attempt, and now that Republican George Kenney, who occupies the seat, is not running again, he's expected to easily win in November.

Lodise, Payton, Boyle and Boyle have already collaborated on legislation, like Payton's merit-based REACH Scholarship program, and hope to work together more when Brendan Boyle gets to Harrisburg.

"This is what we've always wanted to do," said Lodise.

In addition to the state House of Representatives, look for changes coming in City Council.

"The fact that a number of City Council people seem to be ready to go will just breathe more life into that momentum for change," said Stalberg.

Turnover is expected because a number of City Council members are in the Deferred Retirement Option Program, which gives qualifying city employees a lump-sum payment upon retirement.

DROP members include Anna Verna, Frank DiCicco, Frank Rizzo Jr., Marian Tasco, Donna Reed-Miller and Jack Kelly. In theory that should mean they have to retire on a set date.

But earlier this year, Councilwoman Joan Krajewski exploited a loophole in the system. Krajewski entered DROP four years ago, but won re-election. So she retired for a day to collect the payout and then was rehired as a retiree to come back for another term.

It is unclear if anyone else plans to follow in Krajewski's footsteps. Most members aren't saying. Still, given the number of people on the DROP list, some Council seats will likely open up.

And of course, if Nutter does well as mayor, that may just mean more young people want to get in the political biz.

"I think Michael is this really transitional figure. His job is going to have a lot to say about who is going to stay involved. I think if Michael doesn't deliver, they [won't participate]," Ceisler said.