Short-lived Egan campaign comes to predicted ending

They began the evening playing music by the Boss. But Joseph Egan didn't leave as the boss last night. Republican mayoral candidate Egan was trounced last night in a hastily assembled run for mayor, garnering only 130,478 votes, or 32 percent, with 98 of Philadelphia's precincts reporting in. Although Egan's advertisements repeatedly portrayed Democrat Edward Rendell as ill-prepared to run the city, when Egan conceded shortly after 10 p.m. last night, he threw his support to the victor. "I want to tell the people of Philadelphia to get behind Ed Rendell because I'm going to get behind Ed Rendell," Egan said in his concession speech. The air at the Center City Benjamin Franklin House was not charged with excitement last night, and there were no impassioned speeches. Rendell's landslide victory over Egan -- who was chosen to run after nominee Frank Rizzo died this summer -- came as a surprise to few. "I'm still very hopeful that he becomes mayor, but realistically I don't think he's going to win," said Wharton and College senior Charles Djou early last night at the downtown ballroom. Egan's late entry into the race was seen by many, including the candidate, as an insurmountable obstacle. "I think the inability to raise money and get the message out hurt me," Egan said in an interview. "There were a series of issues that hurt us. I don't want to make excuses." "There are both advantages and disadvantages in a short campaign," said Ledonna Lee, political consultant for Egan. "After Rizzo won, too many people -- Republicans -- decided to go with Rendell. When Joe was named, people had already decided who to vote for." Fran Rizzo, son of the late former mayor, said that he was impressed with Egan's accomplishments during his short time on the campaign trail. "In 12 weeks he did the impossible," Rizzo said. "Joe Egan did a great job under the circumstances." And though the campaign was short, it took its toll on the candidate and his staff. "The pace was brutal," said Joe Sanchez, press secretary for Egan. "In the last 90 days, I got two days off. I got sick. Joe got sick." Many of Egan's supporters said they saw a bleak future for the city under Democratic leadership. "Philadelphia is a city that's got one foot over the chasm and it's about to lose it's balance," said Carol Coren, Egan's director of issues. "The fall is going to be very long and very deep and I hope not without bottom." Despite the glare of the television lights and the bustle of the reporters, Egan's supporters and friends were quiet throughout the evening. Excitement came from the results of other races, rather than the one for which the people had gathered. People spent much of their time clustered around television screens looking for election results, and they chatted about the Senate race between Democrat Harris Wofford and Republican Richard Thornburgh. The excitement in the room rose temporarily as some well-known politicians, including Republican primary candidates Ron Castille and Sam Katz, entered the room, but the subdued atmosphere returned as they were dragged off to the TV cameras. Both Katz and Castille had served as advisors to Egan after their losses in the primaries. Although many considered Katz a "spoiler" in the spring primary and he was passed over for the Republican nod after Rizzo died, he chaired Egan's campaign. "We came together for the party," Katz said. Staff writer Jeremy Feinstein contributed to this story.

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