Next year’s mayoral race got even more crowded on Tuesday, as City Controller Rebecca Rhynhart resigned to join the fray.
Rhynhart becomes the fourth Democrat in the race. The others are Maria Quinones Sanchez, Cherelle Parker and Derek Green – all of whom resigned their City Council seats to run for mayor.
ShopRite store owner Jeff Brown is expected to enter the race next month. Other Democrats expected to run are former Councilman Allan Domb, Councilwoman Helen Gym and state Rep. Amen Brown.
As for the Republicans, they have some time. The primary is not until May 16, 2023. And while the ballot is sure to be crowded with mayoral, Council and judicial candidates, the only GOP name being discussed is Councilman David Oh.
Oh was at Emperor Restaurant, 725 Red Lion Road, on Monday night for a fundraiser.
“I’m not announcing,” he said. “I’m exploring.”
In an address to the crowd, Oh touted his high name recognition and favorable poll numbers, along with low unfavorables.
If Oh runs, he believes his message — more police officers, a cleanup of the Kensington drug market and removal of illegal dirt bikes and ATVs — will resonate with voters, especially if Democrats nominate someone without a record of addressing crime and quality-of-life issues.
Oh understands that Democrats outnumber Republicans almost 8 to 1 in Philadelphia, but notes this will be the first mayoral race with no straight-party voting button.
“We’ll leave it up to the voters,” he said.
Among those in attendance were Bucks County District Attorney Matt Weintraub, city elections commissioner Seth Bluestein, former district attorney candidate Beth Grossman and former state Senate candidate Sam Oropeza, who will announce a run for Council at large tonight. ••
