PHILADELPHIA (AP/KYW Newsradio) — It used to be the old-school Democratic City Committee that picked them. Then, that same machine would have the incumbents’ backs. Now, because of the rise of progressive groups, like Reclaim Philadelphia and the local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, the progressive groups played defense.
Three that were targeted: State Reps. Elizabeth Fiedler, in South Philly; Chris Rabb, in Northwest Philadelphia; and Rick Krajewski, in University City, fought off their challengers. That, after they defied the party organization and previously ran vigorous campaigns that ousted incumbents.
Longtime politicians Dwight Evans and Anthony Williams both retained their seats. Evans got solid support from one of the most Democratic districts in the country, casting himself as a pragmatic leader who knows how to put public policy above politics and make ideas matter.
His nearest challenger, among two others, was 29-year-old Alexandra Hunt, who positioned herself as a progressive alternative to Evans’ mainstream platform. In one of her latest tweets, she wrote to young people that “it’s our generation that will have to deal with the climate crisis, and we’ll have to clean up the mess left by politicians who’ve only looked out for themselves.”
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In the 8th State Senate District, state Sen. Williams continues the family political business. Challenger Paul Prescod was trying to do to Williams what Nikal Saval did to state Sen. Larry Farnese in the 2020 Democratic primary in South Philly: have a progressive newcomer defeat the old-school establishment.
Williams supports “school choice” programs. Prescod, a former history teacher, said that takes away focus, resources and money from traditional public schools.
Philadelphia voters also approved four ballot questions, including expanding the city’s zoning board, codifying the board that oversees fair housing laws, and making the city’s governing documents more gender-inclusive.
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Parties pick state lawmakers to be lieutenant gov candidates
Republicans elected state Rep. Carrie Lewis DelRosso to run in November with their choice for governor, state Sen. Doug Mastriano. Democrats gave their nominee for governor, Attorney General Josh Shapiro, his choice for second-in-command, Rep. Austin Davis.
DelRosso, who is in her first term in the General Assembly, prevailed in a nine-candidate race, while Davis easily beat state Rep. Brian Sims, whose energetic campaign could not overcome Shapiro’s endorsement of Davis. Both DelRosso and Davis are from Allegheny County.
Davis, a resident of McKeesport, has been a state representative since 2018 and is a former executive assistant to Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, a prominent elected Democrat. DelRosso is a former borough council member who runs a public affairs and marketing company.
In Pennsylvania, candidates for governor and lieutenant governor are not paired on the primary ballot, but do run as a ticket in the fall.
The lieutenant governor is the chair of the Pardons Board and is the presiding officer during state Senate sessions.
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As votes were still being counted late Tuesday, the Republican chairmen of the powerful Appropriations Committee in both state legislative chambers were in very tight races — Sen. Pat Browne, of Lehigh County, and state Rep. Stan Saylor, of York County.
Another veteran Republican House member from York County, Rep. Keith Gillespie, also was in a close contest.
In another very competitive primary, state Rep. Summer Lee, D-Allegheny, was neck-and-neck with attorney Steve Irwin for an open congressional seat in the Pittsburgh area.
Pennsylvania voters on Tuesday also cast ballots in primary contests for 17 congressional seats. The state’s delegation to the U.S. House had been 18 — nine Democrats and nine Republicans — before one delegate was lost because of 2020 Census numbers.
In the state House, three races pitted incumbents against each other in districts where the primary winner is likely to take the oath of office in January.
Northwest of Harrisburg, Rep. Perry Stambaugh was running well ahead in the GOP primary against Rep. Johnathan Hershey. Southwest of Allentown, Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie had a large lead on Rep. Gary Day. And in Philadelphia, Democratic Chris Rabb won the primary against Rep. Isabella Fitzgerald.