Lynne Abraham
Democratic mayoral candidates Nelson Diaz and Lynne Abraham will appear on Friday, March 20, at Wesley Enhanced Living Pennypack Park, 8401 Roosevelt Blvd.
Diaz is scheduled to speak at 8:30 a.m., followed by Abraham at 9:15.
The two will be appearing as part of a mayoral breakfast series sponsored by the Greater Northeast Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce. Tickets cost $10.
To reserve a seat, call 215–332–3400 or email gnpccoffice@aol.com
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The lineup has been set for the May 19 primary, with last week’s deadline for candidates to submit nominating petitions.
Melissa Lynn Bailey will be the Republican mayoral nominee.
Democratic mayoral candidates are Lynne Abraham, Anthony Williams, Nelson Diaz, Jim Kenney, Doug Oliver and Milton Street. Street, though, is having his candidacy challenged because documents show he is registered as an independent.
City Councilmen Bobby Henon (D-6th dist.) and Brian O’Neill (R-10th dist.) have no challengers in the primary or general elections.
Councilwoman Maria Quinones Sanchez (D-7th dist.) faces Manny Morales in the primary. No Republican filed.
Councilwoman Marian Tasco (D-9th dist.) is not seeking another term. Democratic candidates are Sabriya Bilal, S. Archye Leacock and Cherelle Parker. The Republican is Kevin Strickland.
Nine Democrats filed for city elections commissioner. They are incumbents Stephanie Singer and Anthony Clark and challengers Lisa Deeley, Dennis Lee, Donna DeRose, Tracey Gordon, Carol Jenkins, Omar Sabir and Hiram Will Mega Ashante. The Republicans are incumbent Al Schmidt and challenger Ella Butcher.
Twenty-one Democrats filed to run for at-large City Council seats. They are incumbents Ed Neilson, Wilson Goode Jr., Blondell Reynolds Brown and Bill Greenlee and challengers Frank Rizzo, Derek Green, Thomas Wyatt, Paul Steinke, Isaiah Thomas, Jenne Baccar Ayers, Barbara Capozzi, Sherrie Cohen, Helen Gym, Marnie Aument Loughrey, Joseph Guerra, Allan Domb, Billy Ivery, Karen Gordon, Lillian Ford, Carla Cain and Wilson Alexander.
Seven Republicans are running for at-large seats. They are incumbents Denny O’Brien and David Oh and challengers Dan Tinney, Matt Wolfe, Al Taubenberger, Terry Tracy and James Williams.
In the race for register of wills, it will be incumbent Democrat Ron Donatucci against Republican Ross Feinberg.
Sheriff Jewell Williams will be challenged in the primary by Larry King Sr. The Republican is Chris Sawyer.
Statewide, voters will nominate three candidates for Supreme Court. The Democrats are Kevin Dougherty, Christine Donohue, Dwayne Woodruff, Anne Lazarus, David Wecht and John Foradora. The Republicans are Correale Stevens, Cheryl Allen, Rebecca Warren, Mike George, Anne Covey and Judy Olson.
Alice Beck Dubow will face Robert Colville in the Democratic primary for Superior Court. The Republican is Emil Giordano.
Todd Eagen will square off with Michael Wojcik in the Democratic primary for Commonwealth Court. The Republican is Paul Lalley.
In the race for Philadelphia Common Pleas Court seats, 59 Democrats and four Republicans filed.
For Municipal Court, there are 33 Democrats and three Republicans.
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Democratic mayoral candidate Anthony Williams is calling on Philadelphians to use social media to spread the word about the potholes.
“We think we’ve found a way to help ourselves over our seasonal pothole crisis until the city gets around to the potholes you hate the most. I am encouraging all of us who are bumping and stumbling over the potholes in our streets now to do two things: First, you should call 311, you can even do it from your mobile phone. That is a start. They promise to take care of it in three days or let you know why not,” he said.
“But we can also help each other by using technology in another way. If you have a Facebook account, shout out the pothole locations you know about, so your friends and neighbors will know where they are.”
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State Rep. Brian Sims endorsed Jim Kenney for mayor.
“Jim Kenney has been a tireless advocate for the LGBT community for nearly 25 years,” he said. “From the fight for domestic partner benefits in the 1990s to transgender healthcare in 2013, Jim has never abandoned the fight for equality even when it was politically unpopular. I look forward to working with him to stop LGBT discrimination in our schools and throughout Philadelphia.”
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Among the seven Republican at-large Council candidates, Dan Tinney topped the field by filing almost 3,000 signatures on his petitions.
“I am very proud to have so many signatures from so many voters in so many neighborhoods throughout our great city. The enthusiasm of my volunteers and the support of these voters is very humbling,” he said.
Eddie Stine, Republican leader of the 66th Ward, described Tinney, a 2000 graduate of Archbishop Ryan High School, as “part of a growing youth movement in the local GOP that is emphasizing fresh ideas and a bold new vision to put Philadelphia on the right track to create good jobs, good schools and safe neighborhoods.”
“Republicans are tired of career politicians who refuse to tackle the tough problems and won’t stand up to the do-nothing Democrats. We need candidates who will reject the business-as-usual attitude that has paralyzed City Hall for decades,” Stine said.
Chris Vogler, Republican leader of the 55th Ward, said, “There is a strong appetite for change in the GOP, and Republican leaders recognize Dan’s intellect, energy and commitment to shaking things up and taking on the status quo when he gets to City Council.”
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At a get-out-the-vote rally in Hunting Park, Democratic mayoral candidate Nelson Diaz endorsed Manny Morales, who is challenging Councilwoman Maria Quinones Sanchez in the 7th Councilmanic District primary.
“Manny Morales is the change the 7th district needs,” said Diaz, adding that he considers Morales a running mate.
Morales is the Democratic Party’s endorsed candidate after receiving the overwhelming support of ward leaders at a caucus.
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Realtor Allan Domb made a late decision to run for an at-large Council seat as a Democrat, but was able to file almost 3,000 signatures.
“I am running for City Council because over the last 35 years, I’ve seen how far Philadelphia has come and I know how far we can go,” he said. “I know that to solve some of Philadelphia’s most pressing problems, it’s going to take more than just having big ideas. It’s going to require knowing how to accomplish big things — which is what I do for a living. Throughout my career, I’ve never been afraid to dream big — that’s how you achieve big things.”
Domb is also a partner in Starr Restaurant Organization, which he said has helped lead Philadelphia’s renaissance.
ldquo;I want to work to make Philadelphia great for every family, not just the well-off. That’s why it is so important we provide more opportunities to get good jobs. Jobs and schools will be my focus on City Council,” he said. “During the campaign, I will lay out innovative ideas, big ideas, on how all of Philadelphia can rise up.”
Domb plans to talk about issues such as collecting taxes from out-of-state landlords and using that money to fund schools. He’ll promote new job-training programs and partnerships with universities to mentor children.
ldquo;Where others might see roadblocks, I see opportunities. I think that’s a perspective we’re missing in the city and it’s why I’m running for City Council at-large — I want to bring entrepreneurial drive and creative problem-solving to Council,” he said.
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Terry Tracy, a Republican candidate for an at-large Council seat, has been endorsed by International Association of Fire Fighters Local 22, which represents Philadelphia firefighters and paramedics.
“The bravery and sacrifice of these men and women, who stand ready to risk their own well-being on our behalf, represent the best that this city — and any great city — has to offer. Over the next eight months, I intend to work as hard as possible to prove myself worthy of their support. I am grateful for each and every past and present member of Local 22 for the peace of mind and sense of safety they afford us,” Tracy said.
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Former congressman Joe Sestak, a Democrat who is running for the U.S. Senate in 2016, criticized Republican Sen. Pat Toomey and other GOP senators for signing a bill that warned Iranian leaders against a nuclear agreement with President Barack Obama.
Sestak said, “During my 31 years in the Navy, I went to approximately 80 countries. I have served in the White House as President Clinton’s Director for Defense Policy and on the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the executive branch. I also have great respect for the institution of Congress, where I served for four years. But the regard for the institution of the U.S. presidency and commander in chief that I saw around the world was unrivaled — as long as we respect it also.” ••
Nelson Diaz
