Patty-Pat Kozlowski, who ran last year for state representative as a Republican, will challenge City Councilman Bobby Henon (D-6th dist.) in the May 21 Democratic primary.
Kozlowski once worked for Councilwoman Joan Krajewski, Henon’s predecessor. She was director of park stewardship at the city Department of Parks and Recreation when she resigned last year to run in the 177th Legislative District. She lost to Democrat Joe Hohenstein.
A Bridesburg resident, she is a longtime community activist who strongly opposes safe injection sites.
Also running in the primary is Deborah Young, a children’s and family advocate.
Mike Tomlinson, who has run as a Republican for city controller, state Senate and state representative, had been mulling a Council run as a Democrat. But he’s unlikely to enter the race.
The Republican candidate will be Pete Smith, former president of the Tacony Civic Association.
Henon, Council’s majority leader, is facing federal corruption charges, with prosecutors saying he performed some of his duties on the orders of electricians union boss John Dougherty.
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Democratic ward leaders in the 7th Councilmanic District endorsed state Rep. Angel Cruz over three-term Councilwoman Maria Quinones Sanchez.
Sanchez’s campaign said in a statement that Cruz is “in the pocket of the indicted leaders of Local 98.”
The councilwoman, noting International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 98’s support of her Cruz-backed opponent in 2015, wants the federal government to release information regarding conversations involving union leader John Dougherty and Councilman Bobby Henon, who are facing corruption charges, as it pertains to the primary four years ago.
The incumbent has the support of four of the 12 ward leaders in the district, which includes Castor Gardens, Northwood, Frankford, Juniata, Feltonville and Kensington.
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Meanwhile, Sanchez and state Rep. Danilo Burgos endorsed Justin DiBerardinis in the Democratic primary for Council at large.
Sánchez endorsed DiBerardinis on Monday during his entrance into the campaign at an event at Johnny Brenda’s, in Fishtown. He is a former aide to the councilwoman.
Burgos, a freshman, said, “He has the toughness, the independence and the leadership to bring real change to City Hall.”
DiBerardinis is a native of Fishtown who lives in Germantown with his wife, Linda, and children, Manny and Joan. ••
