Inquirer editorial: Muroff is best in Democratic race to replace Fattah

The last contest to represent the Philadelphia-based Second Congressional District presented voters with an arguably difficult choice between an experienced Democratic congressman under federal investigation and a politically inexperienced Republican schoolteacher. In fact, the overwhelmingly Democratic district's voters didn't find the choice difficult at all: Eighty-eight percent voted to reelect Rep. Chaka Fattah to his 11th term.

The current contest should be a closer call. Fattah now faces a 29-count federal indictment for allegedly running a criminal organization devoted to paying his bills with purloined public and charitable funds. Not coincidentally, he is also facing three more viable challenges from within his party.

Fattah notes that he is constitutionally entitled to due process, which is correct as far as his life, liberty, and property are concerned. None of that should be confused with the privilege of holding public office. Based on the grave charges against him and despite his accomplishments, the Inquirer did not endorse Fattah in 2014 and urged him to resign the following year in the wake of his indictment.

The official charges will likely lead more voters to share these reservations. Fattah's robust opposition reflects this but is remarkably reluctant to admit it, refusing to take all but the mildest stands on ethics.

This is especially troubling in the case of Fattah's most formidable challenger, Dwight Evans, a state representative with nearly four decades of experience representing chiefly African American neighborhoods of North and Northwest Philadelphia. Much like Fattah, Evans has been associated with a cadre of nonprofits whose use of public money has been justifiably questioned. In the worst cases, state funds were squandered on a nursing home run by the family of an ex-councilman convicted of conspiring with a mobster, a failed nightclub run by Evans' friends, and a music festival whose attendance was dramatically exaggerated. Evans also employed what was described as Godfather-style intimidation of school officials on behalf of a favored nonprofit. Invited to address such issues in a meeting with the Inquirer Editorial Board, Evans preferred to tout his ability to "get things done."

Particularly in light of the charges against Fattah, it's an unfortunate stance for a politician of Evans' stature. Though he seems to have all but retired to a backbench after losing a 2010 leadership battle, Evans was for 20 years a leader of the House Appropriations Committee and one of Harrisburg's most powerful Democrats. Known as a pragmatist and policy wonk who pushed for school and neighborhood improvements, he could be an able successor to Fattah if he took the corruption question seriously.

The other primary challengers lack the legislative experience of Evans and Fattah but bring other assets to the race. Main Line native Brian Gordon, a Lower Merion Township commissioner and attorney, deserves credit for forthrightness on corruption and enthusiasm for the district's issues, but he seems to have too much to learn about Philadelphia and Washington.

Dan Muroff, a Northwest Philadelphia activist, party leader, lawyer, and lobbyist, has substantial experience as a congressional aide and passion for taking on the gun violence plaguing the district. He has also led environmental, community, and gun control organizations.

Experience is valuable, but the Second District also needs a departure from past experience. DAN MUROFF offers the best combination of both.