PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Tuesday’s election will determine the leadership of Philadelphia for the next four years, as voters will choose the next mayor and all of City Council.
Democrat Cherelle Parker is heavily favored in the mayor’s race and has run a low-key campaign echoing her primary promise.
She feels with the broad-based coalition put together, Philadelphia could be the “safest, cleanest, greenest big city in the nation that will provide access to economic opportunity for all.”
Republican David Oh has made his campaign less about Parker and more about Democratic dominance, saying it’s time for the politics of this city to change.
“It has led to many of the problems and it has stifled the resources that are supposed to reach the people. It’s time for change — and if you vote for me, that change will happen.”
With a 7-1 registration edge, Democrats are likely to sweep judgeships, row offices, and most of City Council. But there are a few contested seats.
Republican Brian O’Neill’s 11 terms representing the 10th District makes him competitive against Democrat Gary Masino, despite Masino’s fundraising edge and labor-backing.
Council also guarantees two at-large seats to non-Democrats. The Working Families Party wrestled one of them away from Republicans four years ago and wants to win both this time. The Republican candidates are just as determined to win both of them back.
Two Republicans, Drew Murray and Jim Hasher, are running against WFP candidates Kendra Brooks, an incumbent, and Nic O’Rourke. While WFP has just 16 registered voters and Republicans have 116,000, Brooks and O’Rourke are expected to get a lot of votes from Democrats, though party leader Bob Brady is warning committee people and ward leaders not to encourage that.
“If you want to be a member of the party you have to follow party rules,” he said.
Other offices on the ballot include judgeships, city commissioners, city controller, sheriff, and register of wills.