And for the campaigns of Farnese's opponents - union leader John J. Dougherty and activist Anne Dicker - that is enough to suggest Fumo is seeking to still exert influence through a surrogate.

Fumo has not publicly indicated any preference in the race for the high-profile First District, but it is no secret that the animosities between him and Dougherty run deep and that Dicker has been a staunch critic.

It also is well known that Fumo and Farnese's families are connected. For example, Farnese's grandfather, Andrew, became school board president in 1995 with Fumo's backing.

Farnese rejects suggestions he is running for anyone but himself, calling them a distraction from the real issues in the race. He said he has three conditions for anyone's support.

"No. 1, no strings attached. No. 2, I answer only to the people. And No. 3, I am my own man, and that's the way it's going to be," he said.

Farnese said he welcomed the support of Fumo allies such as City Councilmen Frank DiCicco and James F. Kenney, calling them progressives whose backing would be helpful to any reform candidate.

The Fumo supporters lining up behind Farnese, 39, also say their decisions had nothing to do with the senator's wishes and everything to do with picking the best candidate.

The latest to go to work for the Farnese campaign is Brian Abernathy, DiCicco's chief of staff.

"I have ties to Sen. Fumo; there's no denying that," Abernathy said. "But there are three people in this race, and no matter who you're related to you're going to have to make a decision about who you're going to support. I think Larry is the best candidate, and it's as simple as that."

Abnernathy follows Ken Snyder, who was Fumo's media consultant and had been working with Farnese earlier when he was planning to run for a second time against State Rep. Babette Josephs for the Democratic nomination in the 182d District.

Snyder said his decision to work for Farnese had "nothing to do with Vince Fumo or any other candidate I work with, including Gov. Rendell."

Even after Fumo withdrew from the race March 12 because of his impending trial on federal fraud and corruption charges, Snyder said he was undecided about working again for Farnese until they met Monday.

"He's smart, optimistic, and he shows a lot of confidence and leadership," Snyder said. "He was someone I wanted to work for."

Still, politics being politics, Farnese's opponents' campaigns are seeking to portray his support from Fumo's allies as something different.

"The puppet strings tighten," Dicker's campaign manager Karim Olaechea said of Abernathy and Snyder's joining the Farnese effort.

Dougherty, head of the electricians union, called it "predictable."

But he said he did not think it would help Farnese.

"I think the senator realizes he is losing influence every day, and this is just another way for him on his way out the door to try to stay relevant, and people see right through it," Dougherty said.

The winner of the April 22 primary will face Republican Jack Morley. Joseph Vignola, a former city councilman and controller, is planning to run as an independent.

The district extends from Philadelphia International Airport to Port Richmond and Brewerytown, and includes South Philadelphia and Center City.