State Rep. Jared Solomon [back, second from left] endorses Heather Miller [standing in front of him] in the Democratic primary in the 203rd Legislative District.State Rep. Jared Solomon has endorsed Heather Miller in the 203rd Legislative District.
Rep. Isabella Fitzgerald represents the district, but redistricting moved her house to the 200th district, where she’s facing Rep. Chris Rabb in a primary.
Miller, of Lawncrest, has two opponents in the May 17 primary. They are Anthony Bellmon, an aide to U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle, and retired police officer Yusuf Jackson. No Republican filed in the overwhelmingly Democratic district.
Bill Dolbow, Democratic leader of the 35th Ward, is for Miller, but Bellmon has the party backing with support from the 53rd and 61st wards.
The new 203rd district includes parts of Castor Gardens, Oxford Circle, Lawncrest, Olney, Burholme and Summerdale.
Some of the new district includes territory represented by Solomon. Dolbow said Solomon leaves big shoes to fill, but he believes Miller can do it.
Solomon described Miller as a mom who has vision, grit and drive. He said she’s gained valuable experience working on neighborhood issues such as placing banners and BigBelly trash cans on commercial corridors, helping organize a Halloween trunk-or-treat event last October and stopping Royal Farms from building a store, thus preserving green space and a future Police Athletic League building.
“She has the bio that speaks to people in Northeast Philadelphia,” Solomon said.
Miller said, if elected, she expects to work well with Solomon and state Sen. Tina Tartaglione. ••
