Down, Fumo is not out

State Sen. Vincent J. Fumo, the Great White Shark of Philadelphia politics, is trailing figurative blood - in the form of a federal indictment - and several people are thinking about taking advantage in next year's Democratic primary.

The South Philadelphia powerbroker, who has represented the First Senate District for 29 years, is scheduled to go on trial in February, facing charges that he misused Senate staff and two charities for personal and political gain.

For his part, Fumo has told associates he intends to run for reelection, and experts in city politics say that he would be difficult to beat despite his legal troubles.

Anne Dicker, a leader in the anti-casino movement, is considering the race, though she said she was not yet prepared to talk about her plans.

But she sounded like a candidate. "I won't mince words: The district needs someone who represents them better, whether it's on casinos or handguns or simply carrying out the will of the people," Dicker said. Fumo is too close to "special interests," she said.

Dicker ran for an open state House seat in 2005, finishing a surprising second in a field of three with a door-to-door effort.

Another potential challenger: Vern Anastasio, a former attorney for the Redevelopment Authority, who challenged Councilman Frank DiCicco in May's primary and got about a third of the vote despite being outspent. Anastasio also is active in the anti-casino movement.

"I was pleased with the primary results considering who and what we were up against," Anastasio said. "It was the first step of a long-term strategy to rid the Democratic Party of people like Sen. Fumo. I hope to play a role in that in some way."

Perhaps it was a coincidence, but Fumo addressed grassroots anger about the two casinos planned for the Delaware River waterfront yesterday, introducing legislation to ban casinos within 1,500 feet of residential areas, schools and churches.

In a statement, Fumo said that he was not sure the legislation would get enough votes, but added he promised community groups to introduce it. He also said he hoped to inspire "dialogue" between riverfront neighborhoods and casino developers to address concerns.

That kind of political dexterity is part of what makes it hard to count out even a wounded Fumo, not to mention nearly $8 billion he has helped steer to Southeastern Pennsylvania as a leader of the Senate Appropriations Committee since 1985.

As an example of Fumo's continuing clout, Gov. Rendell turned to the veteran lawmaker recently to help broker a state budget deal with Senate Republicans.

"Anyone running against him will be an opportunist, trying to take advantage of his situation. That's just politics," said Democratic media consultant Ken Snyder, who has worked for Fumo. "But they would have a hard time making the case that the senator has not kept his promise to guard, protect and deliver for his district."

Union leader John Dougherty, a South Philadelphia rival of Fumo's, has also been mentioned as a likely candidate for the seat. But spokesman Frank Keel said Dougherty would consider running only if Fumo were not in the race.

If Fumo stepped down or decided not to run, Dougherty "would be compelled to take a serious look at it," Keel said.

Democratic political consultant Larry Ceisler said that it's hard to predict right now, before the trial, whether Fumo would be vulnerable.

"He has to run for reelection because if he doesn't it would almost be an admission of guilt," Ceisler said. And a vigorous campaign would not hurt in the trial either.

"He can do a million dollars worth of ads for his reelection that could help potentially influence a jury pool," Ceisler said. "The airwaves of the region would be filled with years of the good deeds of Vince Fumo."