It didn’t work out for his father, Republican Mayoral candidate Al Taubenberger.
But, Matt Taubenberger, the failed candidate’s only son, will run unopposed in April’s Republican primary for the chance to do something his father has never done: win public office. Republican Matt Taubenberger is hoping to succeeed Rep. George Kenney in his 170 State Legislative House district, encompassing parts of Northeast Philadelphia and Montgomery County.
Taubenberger, who has previously worked for Kenney’s legislative staff, was chosen by GOP general counsel Michael Meehan at Café Michelangelo, in the Somerton neighborhood of the Northeast, at 11901 Bustleton Ave. south of Byeberry Road, as reported by the Northeast Times.
Though the Northeast High graduate has the backing of the current incumbent – Kenney, who is retiring after 12 terms since 1984 – Taubenberger is facing an increasingly Democratic district, considering the recent blue turn of Montco.
What’s more, he’ll face a challenge from Democrat Brendan Boyle – who is, like Taubenberger, 31. Boyle will be a name that voters in the district will know, considering he lost to Kenney in both 2004 and 2006.
Taubenberger’s opponent even has a presence on Youtube.
A Taubenberger loss could be a huge blow, to the State Republicans and certainly for the city’s GOP. Kenney, 50, is part of the last generation of Philadelphia Republicans who came to power in the 1980s, like fellow Rep. John Perzel and Rep. John Taylor, among others.
Photo of Matt Taubenberger (L) with George Kenney, whom he replaced, in the Rockledge Fire Department, courtesy of Matt Taubenberger’s Web site.