PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The race for Philadelphia city council-at-large took a turn Tuesday night when the Democratic city committee made its endorsements in the race.
Committee endorsements are important in a race for city council-at-large. Down the ticket, with too many choices to scrutinize each candidate, most voters rely on the recommendation of party officials, given on election day in the form of sample ballots that list the party’s five endorsed candidates. Now, ward leaders have been known to depart from party endorsements before—it’s called “cutting.” They replace one or more candidates with their preference.
But this year, with 19 candidates vying for one of the seats, the Committee could not agree.
In addition to the three incumbents—Kathy Gilmore Richardson, Isaiah Thomas, and Jim Harrity—the committee endorsed former Human Relations Commission executive director Rue Landau. A three-way tie was declared for the fifth slot, between activist Erika Almiron, local NOW president Nina Ahmad, and Eryn Santamoor, who’s worked in politics and city government.
In another unusual move, the committee declined to endorse incumbent Tracy Gordon for Register of Wills. Gordon won in an upset, four years ago, and fired ward leaders and other patronage employees, angering the party.
The committee went with challenger John Sabatini. It also endorsed acting city controller Kristy Brady in the controller’s election, which is being held two years early to fill the term of Rebecca Rhynhart, who resigned to run for mayor.
The catch is, Brady is not formally a candidate. She’d have to resign to run for controller.
A dozen other candidates are running in the Democratic primary, as well.
The committee, however, has yet to endorse anyone for mayor.
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