The ballot has been finalized for the May 18 primary.
The most-watched race is the Democratic primary for district attorney. DA Larry Krasner faces Carlos Vega, a former longtime homicide prosecutor. Republican Chuck Peruto is unopposed.
City Controller Rebecca Rhynhart is unopposed in the Democratic primary. No Republican filed.
Sixteen Democrats are competing for eight seats on Common Pleas Court. Candidates are Caroline Turner, Terri Booker, Wendi Barish, Craig Levin, Cateria McCabe, Nick Kamau, Daniel Sulman, Patrick Moran, Maurice Houston, Betsy Wahl, Michele Hangley, Rick Cataldi, John Padova, Chris Hall, Mark Moore and Tamika Washington.
Four Democrats are battling for three seats on Municipal Court. They are Michael Lambert, Barbara Thomson, George Twardy and Greg Yorgey-Girdy.
No candidates filed to run in the GOP primaries for Common Pleas or Municipal courts.
Republicans do have a primary for state Supreme Court. Voters will choose among Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Paula Patrick and Commonwealth Court Judges Kevin Brobson and Patricia McCullough. The winner will face Superior Court Judge Maria McLaughlin, a Democrat unopposed in the primary.
In the race for a seat on Superior Court, the three Democratic candidates are Allegheny County lawyers Jill Beck and Bryan Neft and Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Timika Lane. The winner will face Republican Megan Sullivan, a former deputy state attorney general from Chester County.
In the race for two seats on Commonwealth Court, there are four Democrats running. They are Allegheny County Common Pleas Court Judge David Spurgeon, Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judges Lori Dumas and Sierra Street and United Steel Workers assistant general counsel Amanda Green-Hawkins. The two GOP candidates are Drew Crompton, who was appointed to the court last year, and McKean County lawyer Stacy Wallace.
Voters will also decide on the following five questions:
• “Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended to change existing law and increase the power of the General Assembly to unilaterally terminate or extend a disaster emergency declaration — and the powers of Commonwealth agencies to address the disaster regardless of its severity pursuant to that declaration — through passing a concurrent resolution by simple majority, thereby removing the existing check and balance of presenting a resolution to the Governor for approval or disapproval?”
• “Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended to change existing law so that: a disaster emergency declaration will expire automatically after 21 days, regardless of the severity of the emergency unless the General Assembly takes action to extend the disaster emergency; the Governor may not declare a new disaster emergency to respond to the dangers facing the Commonwealth unless the General Assembly passes a concurrent resolution; the General Assembly enacts new laws for disaster management?”
• “Shall the Pennsylvania Constitution be amended by adding a new section providing that equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged because of an individual’s race or ethnicity?”
• “Do you favor expanding the use of the indebtedness authorized under the referendum for loans to volunteer fire companies, volunteer ambulance services and volunteer rescue squads under 35 PA C.S. Section 7378.1 (related to referendum for additional indebtedness) to include loans to municipal fire departments or companies that provide services through paid personnel and emergency medical services companies for the purpose of establishing and modernizing facilities to house apparatus equipment, ambulances and rescue vehicles, and for purchasing apparatus equipment, ambulances and rescue vehicles, protective and communications equipment and any other accessory equipment necessary for the proper performance of the duties of the fire companies and emergency medical services companies?”
• “Shall The Philadelphia Home Rule Charter be amended to provide for an expanded Board of License Inspection Review that can hear and decide cases in three-member panels?” ••
