Pennsylvanians will go to the polls next Tuesday to nominate candidates for state and federal offices.
Here is a look at the races:
President
Democrats will choose between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. They will also select delegates. It’ll be easy, since either Clinton or Sanders will be listed under their delegates’ names.
Republicans will choose among Ted Cruz, John Kasich and Donald Trump. Unlike the Democrats, GOP candidates for delegate are not committed to a candidate. Republicans in the 1st Congressional District have only three delegate candidates for three slots, and all three have indicated they’d vote for the presidential candidate who wins the district. There are seven delegate candidates for three slots in the 13th Congressional District. Michael McMonagle supports Cruz. The other six have indicated they will vote for the presidential candidate who wins the district.
U.S. Senate
Republican Sen. Pat Toomey is unopposed.
The Democratic candidates are John Fetterman, Joe Sestak and Katie McGinty. Sestak has been leading the polls, but McGinty is the establishment candidate, with backing from elected officials and unions. She is a Rhawnhurst native who attended Resurrection of Our Lord Elementary School and St. Hubert High School.
Attorney General
Democrat Kathleen Kane has had a disastrous term, including being indicted on charges of perjury and obstructing administration of law.
Democratic candidates are John Morganelli, Josh Shapiro and Stephen Zappala. Shapiro, a Montgomery County commissioner, has the most money. Zappala, the district attorney in Allegheny County, has support from many unions and elected officials in Philadelphia.
The Republican candidates are state Sen. John Rafferty, the endorsed candidate, and Joe Peters, a former police officer, state and federal prosecutor and official in the office of the White House drug czar.
5th Senatorial District
Sen. John Sabatina Jr. (D-5th dist.) and state Rep. Kevin Boyle (D-172nd dist.), who is also running for re-election to his House seat, are bludgeoning each other in mailings.
Unions and ward leaders are split.
Both candidates are fighting over who is more pro-choice on abortion.
Sabatina points to what he says are Boyle’s more than 250-plus missed votes.
Boyle notes that Sabatina was given the Democratic nomination for special elections to the House and Senate thanks, in part, to his dad, a ward leader.
At a recent meeting with residents of Delaire Landing, Sabatina said he will help people appeal high real estate assessments and work to fill the vacant Pathmark and Food Basics stores on Frankford Avenue in Holmesburg. He also opposes a proposed swingers club at the old Rosewood Caterers.
“I don’t see how that could possibly be good for Northeast Philadelphia,” he said.
On Saturday, Sabatina spent part of the day at a huge rally at the carpenters apprentice school on Decatur Road. Longtime national carpenters union president Doug McCarron was in attendance. Sabatina was introduced by U.S. Rep. Bob Brady, a 50-year carpenters union member.
Also on Saturday, Boyle held a rally outside a political campaign office at 8425 Frankford Ave. City Councilman Bobby Henon said Boyle is his partner on absentee landlords, property taxes and issues affecting cops, firefighters and senior citizens.
“Who I don’t hear from is his opponent, who’s been absent in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. His opponent doesn’t have his own opinion,” Henon said.
Electricians union members canvassed for Boyle afterward.
Boyle was recently endorsed by the Philadelphia Inquirer, SEIU Pennsylvania State Council and state Rep. Mike Driscoll.
“These endorsements demonstrate the broad coalition of labor, community activists and regular voters that have gotten behind our campaign. This election is about who has a better vision for how to take Northeast Philadelphia forward, and we feel that we have the ideas and commitment to our community that will be the difference when voters head to the polls on April 26,” Boyle said.
On Monday, Mayor Jim Kenney endorsed Boyle.
“Kevin Boyle has a proven record of standing up for Philadelphia and fighting for our families. He’s gone after absentee landlords and pushed to expand access to higher education and universal pre-K,” the mayor said. “Kevin has been a positive force for the people of Northeast Philadelphia and he’s someone I am proud to endorse and count on to help our city in Harrisburg. I urge you to vote for Kevin Boyle in Tuesday’s Democratic primary for state Senate.”
Republican Ross Feinberg is unopposed.
170th Legislative District
Democrats Fran Nelms and Matt Darragh are battling to see who will take on Republican Rep. Martina White.
Nelms works for U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle, who recently officially endorsed him, saying, “Fran is a hard worker, and the evidence is in the hundreds of constituents he’s served at my office and as a candidate. Fran has personally knocked on over 5,500 doors. His work ethic, knowledge of the issues that face Northeast Philadelphia and unwavering commitment to making his community better are just a few of the things that make him the best candidate for this seat.”
202nd Legislative District
Rep. Mark Cohen faces a rematch from Jared Solomon in the Democratic primary. In 2014, Cohen won by 158 votes. Solomon has the official party endorsement.
The candidates have been arguing over a debate. One was tentatively scheduled for last Friday night at a VFW post in Lawndale, but Solomon did not attend because the Cohen campaign refused to allow the debate to be videotaped.
Cohen’s top issues over the years have included increasing the minimum wage and legalizing medical marijuana.
“I have been extremely active in the legislative process,” he said.
Solomon, a lawyer and president of the Take Back Your Neighborhood Civic Association, was recently endorsed by Councilmen Mark Squilla and Kenyatta Johnson, of South Philadelphia.
“We need more Jared Solomons in the city of Philadelphia,” Johnson said at Monday night’s Take Back Your Neighborhood meeting.
Questions
Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended to abolish the Philadelphia Traffic Court?
Shall the Philadelphia Home Rule Charter be amended to provide for the creation, appointment, powers and duties of an independent Commission on African-American Males, which would study and recommend responses to challenges facing African-American Males in Philadelphia? ••
